Huella de carbono de movilidad y energía en el Área Metropolitana de Concepción. Una comparativa entre los barrios de Brisas del Sol y Pedro Valdivia Alto como ejemplos del urbanismo de baja densidad en zonas de renta alta del Área Metropolitana de Concepción

Mediante el uso de la herramienta de la huella de carbono se busca saber el impacto ambiental de la vida cotidiana de las clases de renta alta de ciertos barrios seleccionados del Área Metropolitana de Concepción. Concretamente se estudiará la huella de carbono de la movilidad y el consumo energético en las viviendas. La extracción de información se basa en el uso de encuestas casa por casa y un posterior análisis informático de los datos obtenidos. Finalmente se propondrán medidas para reducir la huella de carbono en el caso que esta exceda los valores considerados sostenibles a largo plazo.

Alternative tests for correct specification of conditional predictive densities

We propose new methods for evaluating predictive densities that focus on the models' actual predictive ability in finite samples. The tests offer a simple way of evaluatingthe correct specification of predictive densities, either parametric or non-parametric.The results indicate that our tests are well sized and have good power in detecting mis-specification in predictive densities. An empirical application to the Survey ofProfessional Forecasters and a baseline Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium modelshows the usefulness of our methodology.

Paperinkeräysyhtiön ympäristölupa sekä energiajakeen vastaanoton, haketuksen ja hyötykäytön suunnittelu ja kannattavuuden arviointi

Papinniemi Oy harjoittaa paperiteollisuuskuidun jatkojalostus- ja paperinkeräystoimintaa. Yhteensä raaka-ainetta tulee käsiteltäväksi noin 10 000 t/a. Työn tavoitteena oli uudistaa yhtiön jätelain (1072/1993) 42 §:n mukainen jätelupa hakemalla toiminnalle uusi ympäristönsuojelulain (86/2000)mukainen ympäristölupa. Lupahakemus toimitettiin Kaakkois-Suomen ympäristökeskuksen Lap-peenrannan toimipisteeseen 22.6.2006. Hakemuksen kuulutusajan ja lausuntokierroksen jälkeen ympäristökeskus teki asiasta myönteisen ympäristölupapäätöksen 1.11.2006. Lupapäätöksen kuulu-tusaika on 30 päivää, jonka jälkeen päätös saa lainvoiman, ellei siitä valiteta. Papinniemi Oy:n tulee tehdä hakemus lupamääräysten tarkistamiseksi 30.6.2017 mennessä. Papinniemi Oy aikoo tulevaisuudessa laajentaa toimintaansa energiajakeen vastaanotto- ja kierrä-tyspolttoaineen valmistustoimintaan. Työn toisena tavoitteena oli laatia suunnitelma ja kannatta-vuuslaskelma ko. toiminnan aloittamiseksi. Saatujen tulosten perusteella kierrätyspolttoaineen val-mistus on kannattavaa, mikäli energiajakeen saatavuus Imatran seudulla on vähintään 1700 t/a. Täl-löin yhden kierrätyspolttoainetonnin valmistuskustannus on 90 ¤. Kustannus vastaa edullisimman Imatralla kilpailevaa toimintaa harjoittavan yrityksen energiajakeen vastaanottohintaa. Polttokel-poista jätettä tuottaville yrityksille tehdyn kyselyn perusteella energiajakeen saatavuus Imatran seu-dulla on noin 3000 t/a, jolloin yhden kierrätyspolttoainetonnin valmistuskustannus on 51,49 ¤. Vaikka kierrätyspolttoaineen hinta romahti EU:n jätteenpolttodirektiivin (2000/76/EY) vaatimusten voimaantulon myötä vuoden 2006 alussa, tullee kierrätyspolttoaineen hinta nousemaan lähivuosina takaisin direktiiviä edeltäneelle tasolle (24 ¤/t). Tällöin energiajakeen vastaanottohinta toiminnan kannattavuusrajalla on 27,49 ¤/t. Kierrätyspolttoaineiden käyttöä tulevaisuudessa lisännee muiden polttoaineiden hinnan nousu, meneillään olevakierrätyspolttoaineiden standardisoimistyö, jätteiden hyödyntämisasteen parantamistavoitteet, jätteiden kaatopaikkasijoituskustannusten nousu ja päästö-kaupan vaikutus.

Mobile music marketing: willingness towards mobile music recommendations and viral marketing

Matkapuhelimet ovat uusia markkinointikanavia, joiden avulla ihmiset voidaan tavoittaa melkein missä ja milloin vain. Mobiilimarkkinoinnin avulla on mahdollista lähettää henkilökohtaisia mainosviestejä tai tarjota kullekin parhaiten sopivia palveluja. Viraalimarkkinointia voidaan käyttää apuna viestien levittämisessä, aivan kuten internetmainonnassa. Tässä tutkimuksessa on keskitytty matkapuhelimiin lähetettäviin musiikkisuosituksiin sekä siihen miten ihmiset suhtautuvat niihin ja olisivatko he valmiita lähettämään viestejä edelleen kavereilleen. Mobiilimusiikkikysely tehtiin, jotta saataisiin selville asiakkaiden halukkuutta vastaanottaa musiikkisuosituksia matkapuhelimiin, sekä heidän halukkuuttaan viraalimarkkinointia kohtaan. Kyselyyn vastasi kaiken kaikkiaan lähes1300 opiskelijaa. Kyselyn tulokset osoittavat, että lisätutkimusta tulisi tehdä alle 18-vuotiaiden matkapuhelimenkäyttäjien joukossa. Tutkimuksen perusteella löydettiin tekijöitä, jotka vaikuttavat opiskelijoiden halukkuuteen vastaanottaa musiikkisuosituksia matkapuhelimiinsa sekä heidän halukkuuttaan viraalimarkkinointiin.

Psychosexual development in men with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism on long-term treatment: a mixed methods study.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) is a rare, genetic, reproductive endocrine disorder characterized by absent puberty and infertility. Limited information is available on the psychosocial impact of CHH and psychosexual development in these patients. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of CHH on psychosexual development in men on long-term treatment. METHODS: A sequential mixed methods explanatory design was used. First, an online survey (quantitative) was used to quantify the frequency of psychosexual problems among CHH men. Second, patient focus groups (qualitative) were conducted to explore survey findings in detail and develop a working model to guide potential nursing and interdisciplinary interventions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient characteristics, frequency of body shame, difficulty with intimate relationships, and never having been sexually active were assessed. Additionally, we collected subjective patient-reported outcomes regarding the impact of CHH on psychological/emotional well-being, intimate relationships, and sexual activity. RESULTS: A total of 101 CHH men on long-term treatment (>1 year) were included for the analysis of the online survey (mean age 37 ± 11 years, range 19-66, median 36). Half (52/101, 51%) of the men had been seen at a specialized academic center and 37/101 (37%) reported having had fertility-inducing treatment. A high percentage of CHH men experience psychosexual problems including difficulty with intimate relationships (70%) and body image concerns/body shame (94/101, 93%), and the percentage of men never having been sexually active is five times the rate in a reference group (26% vs. 5.4%, P < 0.001). Focus groups revealed persisting body shame and low self-esteem despite long-term treatment that has lasting impact on psychosexual functioning. CONCLUSIONS: CHH men frequently experience psychosexual problems that pose barriers to intimate relationships and initiating sexual activity. These lingering effects cause significant distress and are not ameliorated by long-term treatment. Psychosexual assessment in CHH men with appropriate psychological support and treatment should be warranted in these patients. Dwyer AA, Quinton R, Pitteloud N, and Morin D. Psychosexual development in men with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism on long-term treatment: A mixed methods study. Sex Med 2015;3:32-41.

Suomalaisen rahastosijoittajan profiili

Tutkimuksen tarkoituksena on luoda suomalaisen rahastosijoittajan profiili. Tutkimuskohteena ovat sijoittajien demografiset ominaisuudet, rahastosijoitukset sekä rahastotransaktiot. Aineistona on erään suomalaisen rahastoyhtiön henkilöasiakastietokanta vuosilta 1998 - 2003. Tutkimustulosten mukaan rahastosijoittaminen on yleistynyt Suomessa viime vuosien aikana. Erityisesti naisten määrä rahastosijoittajien joukossa on kasvussa. Rahastosijoitusten suuruus riippuu sijoittajan iästä sekä sukupuolesta. Mitä vanhempi sijoittaja on, sitä enemmän hän on sijoittanut rahastoihin. Lisäksi miehet sijoittavat suurempia summia kuin naiset. Viimeisten kolmen vuoden aikana suomalaisten rahastosijoittajien sijoituskohteiden painopiste on muuttunut riskillisemmistä rahastoista vähäriskisiin rahastoihin, erityisesti lyhyen koron rahastoihin. Osakemarkkinoiden mennyt kehitys vaikuttaa sijoituspäätöksiin. Rahastosijoittajien markkina-ajoituskyky on kuitenkin melko heikko. Miehet tekevät aktiivisemmin merkintöjä ja lunastuksia ja lisäksi reagoivat naisia nopeammin markkinoiden muutoksiin.

Etelä-Karjalan aluebarometri

Tutkimuksen päätavoitteena oli rakentaa Etelä-Karjalan maakunnan alueellinen suhdannebarometri. Aluebarometrilla kuvataan ja analysoidaan alueen toimialojen tuotannon ja työllisyyden kehitystä sekä nykytilannetta tuoreilla, havainnollisilla ja luotettavilla indikaattoreilla. Tutkimusmenetelmänä on konstruktiivinen tutkimus. Aluebarometri toteutettiin kyselytutkimuksena 454:ltä yritykseltä Etelä-Karjalan alueella keväällä 2002. Tulokset on raportoitu toimialoittain sisältäen kyselytutkimuksen 11 indikaattoria sekä kaksi tilastollista muuttujaa. Teoriaosassa tarkasteltiin aluetalouden rakentumista, aluekehitystä, yritysten sijaintiteorioita ja systeemidynamiikkaa. Barometrin konstruoinnin lisäksi empiirisessä osassa analysoitiin maakunnan yritystoiminnan ja toimialarakenteen tyypillisiä piirteitä sekä selvitettiin barometrin käyttäjäkunnan tietotarpeita. Tutkimustulosten mukaan Etelä-Karjalan yritykset odottavat aluebarometrin indikaattoreiden kehittyvän seuraavan kuuden kuukauden ajanjaksolla lievästi myönteiseen suuntaan. Myönteisintä kehitystä odotetaan myynnin ja Venäjän yleisen suhdannetilanteen suhteen. Toimialoista positiivisimmat odotukset ovat informaatioteknologian, liike-elämän palveluiden, muiden palveluiden sekä kaupan aloilla, heikoimmat puolestaan rakentamisen alalla.

PK-yritysten teknologiahankkeiden arvioiminen reaalioptioajattelun avulla

Tutkielman tavoitteena oli pyrkiä selvittämään kuinka hyvin reaalioptioajattelu soveltuu pienten ja keskisuurten yritysten teknologiahankkeiden arvioimiseen. Tutkimusvälineenä käytettiin reaalioptioajattelun mukaista Star-teknologian arviointilomaketta. Tutkimukseen saatiin mukaan 17 teknologiayrityksen vastaukset, joita sitten arvioitiin kvalitatiivisin ja kvantitatiivisin menetelmin. Teknologiahankkeisiin sisältyy usein suurta teknologista epävarmuutta sekä markkinaepävarmuutta. Reaalioptioajattelu soveltuu erinomaisesti teknologiahankkeiden arvioimiseen, sillä siinä korostetaan joustavuutta ja sen avulla voidaan pyrkiä hallitsemaan epävarmuuksia. Tutkimuksessa esiteltävä Starã-prosessi voi oikein ja huolellisesti käytettynä antaa teknologiahankkeesta uutta ja monipuolista näkökulmaa ja helpottaa näin päätöksentekoa. Uuden informaation avulla hanketta voidaan arvioida ja ohjata tehokkaammin.

Validity of silhouette showcards as a measure of body size and obesity in a population in the African region : a practical research tool for general-purpose surveys.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to validate the Pulvers silhouette showcard as a measure of weight status in a population in the African region. This tool is particularly beneficial when scarce resources do not allow for direct anthropometric measurements due to limited survey time or lack of measurement technology in face-to-face general-purpose surveys or in mailed, online, or mobile device-based surveys. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Republic of Seychelles with a sample of 1240 adults. We compared self-reported body sizes measured by Pulvers' silhouette showcards to four measurements of body size and adiposity: body mass index (BMI), body fat percent measured, waist circumference, and waist to height ratio. The accuracy of silhouettes as an obesity indicator was examined using sex-specific receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis and the reliability of this tool to detect socioeconomic gradients in obesity was compared to BMI-based measurements. RESULTS: Our study supports silhouette body size showcards as a valid and reliable survey tool to measure self-reported body size and adiposity in an African population. The mean correlation coefficients of self-reported silhouettes with measured BMI were 0.80 in men and 0.81 in women (P < 0.001). The silhouette showcards also showed high accuracy for detecting obesity as per a BMI ≥ 30 (Area under curve, AUC: 0.91/0.89, SE: 0.01), which was comparable to other measured adiposity indicators: fat percent (AUC: 0.94/0.94, SE: 0.01), waist circumference (AUC: 0.95/0.94, SE: 0.01), and waist to height ratio (AUC: 0.95/0.94, SE: 0.01) amongst men and women, respectively. The use of silhouettes in detecting obesity differences among different socioeconomic groups resulted in similar magnitude, direction, and significance of association between obesity and socioeconomic status as when using measured BMI. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the validity and reliability of silhouettes as a survey tool for measuring obesity in a population in the African region. The ease of use and cost-effectiveness of this tool makes it an attractive alternative to measured BMI in the design of non-face-to-face online- or mobile device-based surveys as well as in-person general-purpose surveys of obesity in social sciences, where limited resources do not allow for direct anthropometric measurements.

Evaluation of Teacher Education Programs by Students and Graduates

The purpose of this research was to do a repeated cross-sectional research on class teachers who study in the 4th year and also graduated at the Faculty of Education, University of Turku between the years of 2000 through 2004. Specifically, seven research questions were addressed to target the main purpose of the study: How do class teacher education masters’ degree senior students and graduates rate “importance; effectiveness; and quality” of training they have received at the Faculty of Education? Are there significant differences between overall ratings of importance; effectiveness and quality of training by year of graduation, sex, and age (for graduates) and sex and age (for senior students)? Is there significant relationship between respondents’ overall ratings of importance; effectiveness and their overall ratings of the quality of training and preparation they have received? Are there significant differences between graduates and senior students about importance, effectiveness, and quality of teacher education programs? And what do teachers’ [Graduates] believe about how increasing work experience has changed their opinions of their preservice training? Moreover the following concepts related to the instructional activities were studied: critical thinking skills, communication skills, attention to ethics, curriculum and instruction (planning), role of teacher and teaching knowledge, assessment skills, attention to continuous professional development, subject matters knowledge, knowledge of learning environment, and using educational technology. Researcher also tried to find influence of some moderator variables e.g. year of graduation, sex, and age on the dependent and independent variables. This study consisted of two questionnaires (a structured likert-scale and an open ended questionnaire). The population in study 1 was all senior students and 2000-2004 class teacher education masters’ degree from the departments of Teacher Education Faculty of Education at University of Turku. Of the 1020 students and graduates the researcher was able to find current addresses of 675 of the subjects and of the 675 graduates contacted, 439 or 66.2 percent responded to the survey. The population in study 2 was all class teachers who graduated from Turku University and now work in the few basic schools (59 Schools) in South- West Finland. 257 teachers answered to the open ended web-based questions. SPSS was used to produce standard deviations; Analysis of Variance; Pearson Product Moment Correlation (r); T-test; ANOVA, Bonferroni post-hoc test; and Polynomial Contrast tests meant to analyze linear trend. An alpha level of .05 was used to determine statistical significance. The results of the study showed that: A majority of the respondents (graduates and students) rated the overall importance, effectiveness and quality of the teacher education programs as important, effective and good. Generally speaking there were only a few significant differences between the cohorts and groups related to the background variables (gender, age). The different cohorts were rating the quality of the programs very similarly but some differences between the cohorts were found in the importance and effectiveness ratings. Graduates of 2001 and 2002 rated the importance of the program significantly higher than 2000 graduates. The effectiveness of the programs was rated significantly higher by 2001 and 2003 graduates than other groups. In spite of these individual differences between cohorts there were no linear trends among the year cohorts in any measure. In respondents’ ratings of the effectiveness of teacher education programs there was significant difference between males and females; females rated it higher than males. There were no significant differences between males’ and females’ ratings of the importance and quality of programs. In the ratings there was only one difference between age groups. Older graduates (35 years or older) rated the importance of the teacher training significantly higher that 25-35 years old graduates. In graduates’ ratings there were positive but relatively low correlations between all variables related to importance, effectiveness and quality of Teacher Education Programs. Generally speaking students’ ratings about importance, effectiveness and quality of teacher education program were very positive. There was only one significant difference related to the background variables. Females rated higher the effectiveness of the program. The comparison of students’ and graduates’ perception about importance, effectiveness, and quality of teacher education programs showed that there were no significant differences between graduates and students in the overall ratings. However there were differences in some individual variables. Students rated higher in importance of “Continuous Professional Development”, effectiveness of “Critical Thinking Skills” and “Using Educational Technology” and quality of “Advice received from the advisor”. Graduates rated higher in importance of “Knowledge of Learning Environment” and effectiveness of “Continuous Professional Development”. According to the qualitative data of study 2 some graduates expressed that their perceptions have not changed about the importance, effectiveness, and quality of training that they received during their study time. They pointed out that teacher education programs have provided them the basic theoretical/formal knowledge and some training of practical routines. However, a majority of the teachers seems to have somewhat critical opinions about the teacher education. These teachers were not satisfied with teacher education programs because they argued that the programs failed to meet their practical demands in different everyday situations of the classroom e.g. in coping with students’ learning difficulties, multiprofessional communication with parents and other professional groups (psychologists and social workers), and classroom management problems. Participants also emphasized more practice oriented knowledge of subject matter, evaluation methods and teachers’ rights and responsibilities. Therefore, they (54.1% of participants) suggested that teacher education departments should provide more practice-based courses and programs as well as closer collaboration between regular schools and teacher education departments in order to fill gap between theory and practice.

Estudi d'alternatives de gestió de la fracció orgànica generada al municipi de l'Esquirol

L'entrada en vigor de la Directiva 1999/31/CE limita l'entrada de residus biodegradables a l'abocador i promou la gestió d'aquests residus per altres vies. El compostatge és una alternativa a la deposició en abocador que respecta el cicle natural de la matèria. A Catalunya, aquesta tècnica s'ha vist potenciada pels plans de gestió de residus PRECAT201 i PINFRECAT202. L'objecte d'aquest estudi és avaluar l'eficiència de la recollida selectiva al municipi de l'Esquirol; i comparar i avaluar diferents alternatives de gestió de la FORM3 dins i fora del municipi. La metodologia de l'estudi ha consistit en analitzar les dades de la recollida selectiva de l'ARC4, tant del municipi de l'Esquirol com de la resta de municipis del Collsacabra, i calcular els costos econòmics de la gestió de la FORM en el supòsit de tractament mitjançant l'autocompostatge, una planta de compostatge a petita escala o el tractament en una planta de compostatge convencional. Els resultats de l'estudi indiquen que la recollida selectiva del municipi de l'Esquirol obté uns valors per sobre dels objectius del PROGREMIC5, amb l'excepció de la FORM. Per tal de millorar la qualitat i la quantitat de la FORM recollida, l'estudi proposa en una primera fase: implantar el sistema de recollida selectiva porta a porta d'aquesta fracció i de la fracció resta; i en una segona fase: tractar la FORM en una petita planta de compostatge amb el sistema de sitges amb ventilació forçada.

Identification of imaging selection patterns in acute ischemic stroke patients and the influence on treatment and clinical trial enrollment decision making.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: For the STroke Imaging Research (STIR) and VISTA-Imaging Investigators The purpose of this study was to collect precise information on the typical imaging decisions given specific clinical acute stroke scenarios. Stroke centers worldwide were surveyed regarding typical imaging used to work up representative acute stroke patients, make treatment decisions, and willingness to enroll in clinical trials. METHODS: STroke Imaging Research and Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive-Imaging circulated an online survey of clinical case vignettes through its website, the websites of national professional societies from multiple countries as well as through email distribution lists from STroke Imaging Research and participating societies. Survey responders were asked to select the typical imaging work-up for each clinical vignette presented. Actual images were not presented to the survey responders. Instead, the survey then displayed several types of imaging findings offered by the imaging strategy, and the responders selected the appropriate therapy and whether to enroll into a clinical trial considering time from onset, clinical presentation, and imaging findings. A follow-up survey focusing on 6 h from onset was conducted after the release of the positive endovascular trials. RESULTS: We received 548 responses from 35 countries including 282 individual centers; 78% of the centers originating from Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, and United States. The specific onset windows presented influenced the type of imaging work-up selected more than the clinical scenario. Magnetic Resonance Imaging usage (27-28%) was substantial, in particular for wake-up stroke. Following the release of the positive trials, selection of perfusion imaging significantly increased for imaging strategy. CONCLUSIONS: Usage of vascular or perfusion imaging by Computed Tomography or Magnetic Resonance Imaging beyond just parenchymal imaging was the primary work-up (62-87%) across all clinical vignettes and time windows. Perfusion imaging with Computed Tomography or Magnetic Resonance Imaging was associated with increased probability of enrollment into clinical trials for 0-3 h. Following the release of the positive endovascular trials, selection of endovascular only treatment for 6 h increased across all clinical vignettes.

Information Needs and Concerns of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: What Can We Learn from Participants in a Bilingual Clinical Cohort?

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients are confronted with needs and concerns related to their disease. AIM: To explore information expectations of patients included in a national bilingual IBD cohort in Switzerland (SIBDC). METHODS: This is a mixed-methods study, comprising 1) a semi-narrative survey sent to 1506 patients from the SIBDC and 2) two focus groups conducted with 14 patients to explore and assess the relevance of the survey's findings. Data collected within the framework of the SIBDC was used to characterize survey's responders. RESULTS: 728 patients (48%) replied to the survey: 52.5% females, 56% Crohn's disease (CD), 87% secondary/tertiary level educated, 70% full/part-time employed. On average, 47% of patients sought for information, regardless of the disease stage; 27% of them were dissatisfied with information received at the time of first symptoms. During flares, 43% were concerned about drugs and therapies; in remission, 57% had concerns on research and developments; 27% searched for information linked to daily disease management. Information-seeking increased when active disease, for CD with high levels of perceived stress (OR = 2.47; p = 0.003), and for all with higher posttraumatic stress symptoms. The focus groups confirmed a perceived lack of information about general functioning, disease course, treatments and their risks, extra-intestinal symptoms and manifestations. CONCLUSIONS: Information remains insufficient for IBD patients. Lack of information in specific domains can potentially cause stress and hinder detection of symptoms. Better information should be considered as a potentially important component in improving patients' outcomes in IBD.

International journal of engineering education

This work presents an analysis of the assessment tools used by professors at the Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya to assess the generic competencies introduced in the Bachelor’s Degrees in Engineering. In order to conduct this study, a survey was designed and administered anonymously to a sample of the professors most receptive to educational innovation at their own university. All total, 80 professors responded to this survey, of whom 26% turned out to be members of the university’s own evaluation innovation group (https://www.upc.edu/rima/grups/grapa), GRAPA. This percentage represents 47% of the total GRAPA membership, meaning that nearly half of the professors most concerned about evaluation at the university chose to participate. The analysis of the variables carried out using the statistical program SPSS v19 shows that for practically 49% of those surveyed, rubrics are the tools most commonly used to assess generic competencies integrated in more specific ones. Of those surveyed, 60% use them either frequently or always. The most frequently evaluated generic competencies were teamwork (28%), problem solving (26%), effective oral and written communication (24%) and autonomous learning (13%), all of which constitute commonly recognized competencies in the engineering profession. A two-dimensional crosstabs analysis with SPSS v19 shows a significant correlation (Asymp. Sig. 0.001) between the type of tool used and the competencies assessed. However, no significant correlation was found between the type of assessment tool used and the type of subject, type of evaluation (formative or summative), frequency of feedback given to the students or the degree of student satisfaction, and thus none of these variables can be considered to have an influence on the kind of assessment tool used. In addition, the results also indicate that there are no significant differences between the instructors belonging to GRAPA and the rest of those surveyed

Yhteisöllinen sisällöntuotanto avoimissa alueverkoissa

Internet-verkon sisältöpalvelut ovat viime vuosina kehittyneet siten, että yhä suurempi osa sisällöstä on käyttäjäyhteisön itse tuottamaa. Esimerkkejä tällaisista uusista palveluista ovat verkkopäiväkirjat eli blogit, valokuva- ja videotietokannat Flickr ja YouTube sekä nk. wiki- sivustot. kuten Wikipedia-tietosanakirja. Tässä työssä tutkittiin, onko vastaavaa sisällöntuotannon muutosta tapahtunut avoimissa alueverkoissa. Työssä myös esitetään eräät määritelmät avoimille ja operaattorineutraaleille verkoille. Toisena tavoitteena oli tutkia, hyödynnetäänkö avoimien alueverkkojen palveluissa verkon alueellisuutta. Työ toteutettiin kyselytutkimuksina alueverkkojen ylläpitäjille sekä käyttäjille. Kyselystä saatujen tulosten mukaan avoimissa alueverkoissa ei ole laajalti tarjolla käyttäjälähtöisiä sisältöpalveluja, mutta paikallisuutta hyödyntäviä palveluja on tarjolla. Toisaalta kyselytulosten mukaan käyttäjät toivovatkin alueverkoilta nimenomaan paikallisuutta hyödyntäviä palveluja. Käyttäjälähtöisiä sisältöpalveluja käytetään runsaasti, mutta ilmeisesti laajemman Internet-verkon tasolla.