Social capital, coping and information behaviour of long-term unemployed people in Finland

Avhandlingen studerar hur långtidsarbetslösa klarar av sin situation, hurdant socialt kapital och informationsbeteende de har, samt granskar hur de ovannämnda faktorerna är relaterade till varandra. Därtill undersöks om det finns skillnader mellan finsk- och svenskspråkiga långtidsarbetslösa på de här tre livsområdena. I undersökningen består socialt kapital av sociala relationer, deltagande i organisatoriska aktiviteter samt känslan av tillhörighet med olika grupper och samfund. Gällande informationsbeteende är fokus på vardaglig informationssökning, vilka källor som används, och hurdana problem man stöter på när man söker information. Som mest påfrestande upplevdes arbetslösheten av män, som var i början eller mitten av sin arbetskarriär. De äldre (över 55 år) verkade på många sätt klara av arbetslöshetssituationen bättre än de yngre, som drabbades hårdare av ekonomiska problem och stress. Kvinnor kunde bättre än män bibehålla en positiv inställning, de hade t.ex. starkare sociala nätverk som stöd, medan mäns sociala relationer i högre grad verkade vila på en arbetsgemenskap, som blev allt svagare i och med utdragen arbetslöshet. Yngre män upplevde också ofta att deras hälsa hade försämrats, när den för kvinnor och äldre arbetslösa i genomsnitt blev bättre. När arbetslösas bemästring av arbetslöshetssituationen, sociala relationer och informationssökning granskades, framgick att människor som var aktiva på ett livsområde också var aktiva på andra livsområden. I de flesta fall framkom inte några större skillnader mellan finsk- och svenskspråkiga arbetslösa. Beträffande informationssökning var de upplevda problemen ändå av diametralt motsatt karaktär – för svenskspråkiga åsamkade för lite tillgänglig information ofta problem, medan problemet för de finskspråkiga var att hitta det väsentliga i informationsflödet. Finskspråkiga kände sig också mera fast anknutna till sin boendemiljö och det finska samhället i stort, svenskspråkiga hade däremot i genomsnitt bredare och tätare sociala nätverk.

Frequency-Domain and Wide-Pulse Time-Domain Measurements of Lanthanide Luminescence and Lanthanide-Based Resonance Energy Transfer

Resonance energy transfer (RET) is a non-radiative transfer of the excitation energy from the initially excited luminescent donor to an acceptor. The requirements for the resonance energy transfer are: i) the spectral overlap between the donor emission spectrum and the acceptor absorption spectrum, ii) the close proximity of the donor and the acceptor, and iii) the suitable relative orientations of the donor emission and the acceptor absorption transition dipoles. As a result of the RET process the donor luminescence intensity and the donor lifetime are decreased. If the acceptor is luminescent, a sensitized acceptor emission appears. The rate of RET depends strongly on the donor–acceptor distance (r) and is inversely proportional to r6. The distance dependence of RET is utilized in binding assays. The proximity requirement and the selective detection of the RET-modified emission signal allow homogeneous separation free assays. The term lanthanide-based RET is used when luminescent lanthanide compounds are used as donors. The long luminescence lifetimes, the large Stokes’ shifts and the intense, sharply-spiked emission spectra of the lanthanide donors offer advantages over the conventional organic donor molecules. Both the organic lanthanide chelates and the inorganic up-converting phosphor (UCP) particles have been used as donor labels in the RET based binding assays. In the present work lanthanide luminescence and lanthanide-based resonance energy transfer phenomena were studied. Luminescence lifetime measurements had an essential role in the research. Modular frequency-domain and time-domain luminometers were assembled and used successfully in the lifetime measurements. The frequency-domain luminometer operated in the low frequency domain ( 100 kHz) and utilized a novel dual-phase lock-in detection of the luminescence. One of the studied phenomena was the recently discovered non-overlapping fluorescence resonance energy transfer (nFRET). The studied properties were the distance and temperature dependences of nFRET. The distance dependence was found to deviate from the Förster theory and a clear temperature dependence was observed whereas conventional RET was completely independent of the temperature. Based on the experimental results two thermally activated mechanisms were proposed for the nFRET process. The work with the UCP particles involved the measurement of the luminescence properties of the UCP particles synthesized in our laboratory. The goal of the UCP particle research is to develop UCP donor labels for binding assays. In the present work the effect of the dopant concentrations and the core–shell structure on the total up-conversion luminescence intensity, the red–green emission ratio, and the luminescence lifetime was studied. Also the non-radiative nature of the energy transfer from the UCP particle donors to organic acceptors was demonstrated for the first time in aqueous environment and with a controlled donor–acceptor distance.

Effective diffusivity and convective mass transfer coefficient during the drying of bananas

In this article, a methodology is used for the simultaneous determination of the effective diffusivity and the convective mass transfer coefficient in porous solids, which can be considered as an infinite cylinder during drying. Two models are used for optimization and drying simulation: model 1 (constant volume and diffusivity, with equilibrium boundary condition), and model 2 (constant volume and diffusivity with convective boundary condition). Optimization algorithms based on the inverse method were coupled to the analytical solutions, and these solutions can be adjusted to experimental data of the drying kinetics. An application of optimization methodology was made to describe the drying kinetics of whole bananas, using experimental data available in the literature. The statistical indicators enable to affirm that the solution of diffusion equation with convective boundary condition generates results superior than those with the equilibrium boundary condition.

Water transfer from São Francisco river to semiarid northeast of Brazil: technical data, environmental impacts, survey of opinion about the amount to be transferred

The transposition of the São Francisco River is considered one of the greatest engineering works in Brazil of all time since it will cross an extensive agricultural region of continental dimensions, involving environmental impacts, water, soil, irrigation, water payment and other multidisciplinary themes. Taking into account its importance, this subject was incorporated into a discipline of UFSCar (Federal University of São Carlos - Brazil) named "Pollution and Environmental Impacts". It was noted strong reaction against the project, even before the presentation. To allow a critical analysis, the first objective was to compile the main technical data and environmental impacts. The second objective was to detect the three most important aspects that cause reaction, concluding for the following reasons: assumption that the volume of water to be transferred was much greater than it actually is proposed in the project; lack of knowledge about similar project already done in Brazil; the idea that the artificial canal to be built was much broader than that proposed by the project. The participants' opinion about "volume to be transferred" was raised quantitatively four times: 2-undergraduate students; 1-graduate; 1-outside community. The average resulted 14 times larger than that proposed in the project, significant according to t-test. It was concluded that the reaction to water transfer project is due in part to the ignorance combined with a preconceived idea that tend to overestimate the magnitude of environmental impacts.

Intra-organizational knowledge transfer in a Finnish multinational company

The ability of a multinational company to effectively transfer knowledge from one unit to another can create a great source of competitive advantage and is crucial for long-term success. However, in their attempts to disseminate existent knowledge across national boundaries, organizations encounter several obstacles. Especially challenging is the transfer of tacit knowledge, the most valuable kind, as it is embedded in the minds and the behavior of people. The purpose of this study is to identify the main factors and challenges to be considered in intra-organizational knowledge transfer and consequently develop a framework that could be utilized to improve the process. The research is of qualitative nature and it adopts an exploratory approach. The study was further conducted as an intensive single-case study through studying a Finnish multinational company, and the researcher adopted a role as a participant observant in the research setting. Other data collection methods include semi-structured interviews and an online survey. The research findings show that knowledge transfer is currently challenging within the international sales organization of the case company. The majority of knowledge is currently concentrated in the company headquarters, and it is not always systematically distributed to the regional offices abroad. The main factor affecting knowledge transfer seems to be the organizational culture, which does not support or encourage knowledge sharing. The company is struggling in having a common place for information and employees that lack proper social networks have difficulties accessing relevant knowledge. Some recommended improvement suggestions include the institutionalization of knowledge transfer by turning it into an articulated organizational goal, and the implementation of a reward system that includes soft factors, such as teamwork and knowledge sharing behavior. Furthermore, the organizational culture should be more open and supportive in order to reinforce trust. Individuals in regional offices should be given better support by offering them dedicated mentors and increasing the amount of expatriation. Finally, knowledge should actively be codified and stored in commonly shared platforms where it is easily accessible by all employees.

Transfer of Administrative HR Services to Global Service Center in Poland

Liiketoimintaa tukevien palvelujen etätuotanto edustaa uutta kansainvälistymisen muotoa. Kehittyvien markkinoiden nousu yhdistettynä yritysten arvoketjutoimintojen kansainvälistymiseen on luonut yrityksille kasvavan paineen etsiä parasta sijaintia toiminnoilleen. Monikansalliset yritykset ovat yhä useammin korvanneet paikallisia henkilöstöpalvelujaan siirtymällä globaaliin malliin jaettujen palvelujen tuotannossa. Tämä diplomityö on toteutettu tukeakseen UPM:n henkilöstöhallintoa globaalin palvelukeskuksen perustamisessa Puolaan. Tutkimuksen tavoitteena on laajentaa käsitystä henkilöstöpalvelujen tarjontamallin uudistamiseen johtaneista tekijöistä ja motiiveista. Empiirisen tutkimuksen tärkein tavoite on tukea rekrytoinnin hallinnollisten töiden siirtoa globaaliin palvelukeskukseen palvelun laadun säilyessä vähintään aikaisemmalla tasolla. Tutkimuksen tulokset painottavat strategista näkökulmaa muutokseen. Strategiset syyt UPM:n henkilöstöhallinnon globaalin palvelukeskuksen perustamiselle sisältävät ylikapasiteetin ja päällekkäisten toimintojen vähentämisen eri maissa. Muutos lisää palvelun joustavuutta sekä edesauttaa toiminnan läpinäkyvyyttä, ennustettavuutta ja kustannusten valvontaa. Onnistuneesti toteutetut jaetut palvelut voivat toimia hyvänä lähtökohtana tehokkaiden henkilöstöpalvelujen tuottamiselle.

Fundamentals of heat transfer

Following over 170+ pages and additional appendixes are formed based on content of Course: Fundamentals of Heat Transfer. Mainly this summarizes relevant parts on Book of Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer (Incropera), but also other references introducing the same concepts are included. Student’s point of view has been consideredwith following highlights: (1) Relevant topics are presented in a nutshell to provide fast digestion of principles of heat transfer. (2) Appendixes include terminology dictionary. (3) Totally 22 illustrating examples are connecting theory to practical applications and quantifying heat transfer to understandable forms as: temperatures, heat transfer rates, heat fluxes, resistances and etc. (4) Most important Learning outcomes are presented for each topic separately. The Book, Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer (Incropera), is certainly recommended for those going beyond basic knowledge of heat transfer. Lecture Notes consists of four primary content-wise objectives: (1) Give understanding to physical mechanisms of heat transfer, (2)Present basic concepts and terminology relevant for conduction, convection and radiation (3) Introduce thermal performance analysis methods for steady state and transient conduction systems. (4) Provide fast-to-digest phenomenological understanding required for basic design of thermal models

Cross-cultural knowledge transfer within a multinational company

The ability to share knowledge efficiently is vital in day-to-day operations of multinational companies. Therefore, the tools for the effective knowledge sharing along with the transfer knowledge models are of a primary interest for the companies. Knowledge transfer often involves participants of different cultural background. The purpose of this research is to investigate how the cross-cultural knowledge transfer in a multinational corporation takes place and how the successful knowledge transfer is ensured. The four sub-questions will help to answer the research question. Firstly, the author will try to identify what difficulties might occur while transferring knowledge in a multicultural environment. Secondly, the cultural differences’ impact on cross-cultural communication will be explored. Thirdly, the tools and models for effective tacit knowledge transfer will be covered by the author. Lastly, the methods of assessing if a knowledge transfer was successful or not will be discussed. The focus of this thesis is on knowledge transfer within a multinational setting. A multinational corporation is used as a practical example for this study; namely the Training Centre of the multinational corporation. The study was carried out by using a qualitative research approach. The four employees of the Training Centre were interviewed in order to obtain the answers to the research questions. The complete idea of the data gathering process can be obtained by reading through the first part of the methodology section Furthermore, the matters of transferability, confirmability, trustworthiness and objectivity were discussed in the methodological section. The study indicates that in order to carry out the successful and efficient knowledge transfer several requests have to be met. Mutual motivation, e.g. the motivation of both knowledge sender and knowledge receiver is one of the most important determinants of knowledge transfer. Sufficient and bearable workload for the knowledge senders is important to ensure the quality and involvement of the knowledge sender into knowledge transfer process. Course contents, infrastructure and other matters will be discussed further on in relation of successful knowledge transfer. Influences of cultural differences on knowledge sharing were studied in this thesis. At the end of the empirical study- a model used to transfer knowledge in Training Centre will be presented. The model created proves to be functional and appropriate for transferring knowledge to representatives of different cultures.

Education export as a form of knowledge transfer : The potential of Finnish education export in Chile

Knowledge transfer is a complex process. Knowledge transfer in the form of exporting education products from one system of education to another is particularly complicated, because each system has been developed in a particular context to meet the requirements seen as relevant at each time. National innovation systems are often seen to form an essential framework within which the development of a country, its economy and level of knowledge are considered and promoted. These systems are orientated towards the future, and as such they also provide a framework for the knowledge transfer related to the development of education. In the best of circumstances they are able to facilitate and boost this transfer both from the viewpoint of the provider and the recipient. The leading thought and the idea of the study is that education export is a form of knowledge transfer, which is illustrated by the existing models included. The purpose of this study is to explore, analyze and describe the factors and phenomena related to education export, and more specifically, those related to the experiences and potential of Finnish education export to Chile. For better understanding, of the multiplicity of the issue involved, the current status of education export between Finland and Chile and he existing efforts within the Finnish innovation network will be outlined as well as new forms of co-operation between Finland and Chile in educational matters explored. Several countries have started to commercialize their education system in order to establish themselves as emerging education exporters. Moreover, the demand for education reform is accurate in many developing countries. This offers a good match between Finland and Chile to be the example countries of the research. The main research findings suggest that there are several business areas in education export. These include degrees in education, training services and education technologies for example The factors that influence education export can be divided into four groups, including academic, cultural, political and economic aspects. Challenges to overcome include the lack of product or services to be sold, lack of market and cultural knowledge of the buyer country, financing and lack of suitable pricing model. National innovation systems could be seen as enabling entities for successful education export. The extensive networks that national innovation systems aim to form, could operate as a basis for joining the forces in selling knowledge as well as receiving knowledge in a constructive way.

DFMA Aspects in the Design of a Transfer Line for Off-line Ion Sources

In this thesis, the DFMA is presented and used for the purpose of having a design for a vertical transfer line that can be easily manufactured and assembled. The design of the transfer line, the major components and drawings are presented. The ease of assembly, the costs of manufacturing and differences between the use of steel structure and aluminum are compared. The ALARA principle is followed to minimize the risk of radiation exposure by the means of locating the test ion sources outside the radioactive area.

Glycolipid and ceramide transfer proteins : important determinants for their function

Lipider är viktiga biomolekyler, eftersom de bygger upp alla cellulära membran. Glykolipider, dvs. lipider som innehåller socker, är dessutom betydelsefulla som signaleringsmolekyler vid olika processer. Det är essentiellt att regleringen av syntesen, nedbrytningen samt transporten av lipider i cellen är noggrant koordinerade, och faktorer som kan påverka lipidmetabolismen är därför viktiga att undersöka. Denna avhandling har undersökt två olika lipidbindande proteiner, glykolipidtransportprotein (GLTP) och ceramidtransportprotein (CERT). GLTPs biologiska funktion är ännu oklar, dock vet man att GLTP har förmåga att binda olika glykolipider samt överföra dessa lipider mellan olika lipidmembraner. CERT har däremot visats kunna transportera ceramid från det endoplastiska retiklet (ER) till Golgi-apparaten, för produktion av sfingomyelin. I detta avhandlingsarbete undersöktes lokaliseringen av GLTP i celler med olika metoder, bl.a. konfokalmikroskopi, samt olika centrifugeringsmetoder. Genom att överuttrycka GLTP i celler och därefter analysera halten nysyntetiserade glykolipider, kunde även sambandet mellan GLTP-uttrycket och dessa lipider undersökas. I avhandlingen identifierades ytterligare en specifik aminosyrasekvens hos GLTP. Denna sekvens visades kunna binda till VAP-A, ett integralt ER protein, med en tidigare fastställd viktig funktion vid regleringen av lipidtransporten. I avhandlingen analyserades även hur ceramidtransporten mellan två olika membraner, medierad av CERT, påverkas av egenskaper i ceramidens omgivning. För att undersöka detta användes artificiella modellmembraner samt fluorimetriska metoder. Sammansättningen och packningen hos lipidmembranerna visades ha en stor betydelse för den CERT-katalyserade ceramidtransporten. Sammanfattningsvis antyder resultaten från avhandlingen att det existerar flera faktorer som kan påverka aktiviteten av GLTP och CERT, vilka i sin tur har förmåga att reglera lipidmetabolismen.

Passive immunity transfer and serum constituents of crossbred calves

Passive immunity transfer (PIT) evaluation is an essential tool for the maintenance of healthy calves during the first months of life. Since lactation number and breed have been proven to influence immunoglobulin levels in colostrum, the aim of this study was to evaluate PIT from primiparous and multiparous Canchim cows to their calves. Blood samples were collected from the calves before colostrum intake and 1, 2, 7, 15 and 30 days thereafter, while colostrum samples from the cows were taken immediately after parturition. Activities of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and concentrations of total protein, albumin, globulins, immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), total and ionized calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and potassium were evaluated in calves' serum and activities of GGT and ALP and concentrations of total protein, IgA and IgG were assessed in cow's colostrum whey. Immunoglobulins concentrations were evaluated by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels. Serum biochemistry evaluations revealed an increase in gamma-glutamyl transferase and alkaline phosphatase activities and in total protein, globulins, immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin G levels in calves' serum after colostrum intake. Only total protein and light chain immunoglobulin G levels in colostrum whey were affected by the cows' lactation number. Phosphorus and magnesium levels in blood serum increased after colostrum intake, while sodium and potassium levels oscillated in the experimental period. PIT was influenced by the cows' lactation number but was efficient in both groups.

Transfer of passive immunity and serum proteinogram in the first six months of life of Criollo Lageano and black and white holstein calves

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the transfer of passive immunity and the proteinogram in Criollo Lageano (CL) and Black and White Holstein (BWH) calves. Two groups were utilized with 13 Criollo Lageano and 10 BWH calves. Blood samples were collected for the measurement of total serum protein, electrophoresis of serum proteins, activity of the gamma glutamyl transferase, and concentration of IgG by the method of the zinc sulfate turbidity in periods between 24 and 36 hours of life, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA and Tukey test at 5% significance level, and correlations between variables were calculated. Variations of serum proteins followed a pattern of physiological behavior over the first six months of life and production of immunoglobulins was active earlier in BWH calves and slower in the Criollo Lageano, without causing any impact on their health. Gamma globulin in the first days of life (24-36h) was correlated with IgG (r=0.87 for CL and r=0.89 for BWH), PTS (r=0.91 for CL and r=0.92 for BWH), Glob (r=0.99 for CL and r=0.98 for BWH) and GGT (r=0.14 for CL and r=0.83 for BWH). It was concluded that there was no failure in the transfer of passive immunity in Criollo Lageano calves but this failure occurred in the BWH calves. IgG values estimated by the zinc sulfate turbidity and serum proteins were considered good indicators of the transfer of passive immunity in calves between 24 and 36 hours of life.