Creating an open-books implementation framework for a maintenance-related value-based life-cycle model

This study is a qualitative action research by its nature with elements of personal design in the form of a tangible model implementation framework construction. Utilized empirical data has been gathered via two questionnaires in relation to the arranged four workshop events with twelve individual participants. Five of them represented maintenance customers, three maintenance service providers and four equipment providers respectively. Further, there are two main research objectives in proportion to the two complementary focusing areas of this thesis. Firstly, the value-based life-cycle model, which first version has already been developed prior to this thesis, requires updating in order to increase its real-life applicability as an inter-firm decision-making tool in industrial maintenance. This first research objective is fulfilled by improving appearance, intelligibility and usability of the above-mentioned model. In addition, certain new features are also added. The workshop participants from the collaborating companies were reasonably pleased with made changes, although further attention will be required in future on the model’s intelligibility in particular as main results, charts and values were all reckoned as slightly hard to understand. Moreover, upgraded model’s appearance and added new features satisfied them the most. Secondly and more importantly, the premises of the model’s possible inter-firm implementation process need to be considered. This second research objective is delivered in two consecutive steps. At first, a bipartite open-books supported implementation framework is created and its different characteristics discussed in theory. Afterwards, the prerequisites and the pitfalls of increasing inter-organizational information transparency are studied in empirical context. One of the main findings was that the organizations are not yet prepared for network-wide information disclosure as dyadic collaboration was favored instead. However, they would be willing to share information bilaterally at least. Another major result was that the present state of companies’ cost accounting systems will definitely need implementation-wise enhancing in future since accurate and sufficiently detailed maintenance data is not available. Further, it will also be crucial to create supporting and mutually agreed network infrastructure. There are hardly any collaborative models, methods or tools currently in usage. Lastly, the essential questions about mutual trust and predominant purchasing strategies are cooperation-wise important. If inter-organizational activities are expanded, a more relational approach should be favored in this regard. Mutual trust was also recognized as a significant cooperation factor, but it is hard to measure in reality.

Islandora Sync: Enabling Administrators and Developers

Presentation at Open Repositories 2014, Helsinki, Finland, June 9-13, 2014

Tapaustutkimus aineettoman pääoman merkityksestä puupolttoaineiden liiketoiminnassa

Tutkimuksessa selvitetään yhden puupolttoaineorganisaation aineettoman pääoman keskeisimmät tekijät ja niiden välinen dynamiikka laadullisilla tutkimusmenetelmillä. Selvityksen teoreettisen taustan muodostaa tietojohtamisen kirjallisuus, jonka perusteella tietopääoman tekijät on jaettu kolmeen ryhmään: inhimillisiin, rakenne- ja suhdetekijöihin. Puupolttoaineiden liiketoiminta perustuu yksinkertaisen raaka-aineen eli puun hankkimiseen ja toimittamiseen voimalaitoksille eri muodoissa. Liiketoiminnan kannattavuus ja yrityksen asema markkinoilla pohjaa pääosin aineettoman pääoman laaja-alaiseen hyödyntämiseen ja kehittämiseen. Tutkimuksen kohteena on suuren metsäteollisuusyrityksen puunhankintaorganisaatio ja sen puupolttoaineiden liiketoimintayksikkö, jonka arvonmuodostusta ja aineettoman pääoman tekijöitä tutkimuksessa analysoidaan. Tutkimustulokset osoittavat, että puupolttoaineiden liiketoiminnan kannattavuus perustuu henkilöstön vahvaan osaamiseen ja organisaation dynaamisiin johtamismalleihin, joilla voidaan vahvistaa aineettomien tekijöiden yhteisvaikutusta. Haasteena puupolttoainetoiminnassa on aineettoman pääoman tekijöiden suhteuttaminen nopeasti kehittyviin operatiivisiin toimintamalleihin sekä valtiollisiin tukimekanismeihin.

Fuzzy expert system in the prediction of neonatal resuscitation

In view of the importance of anticipating the occurrence of critical situations in medicine, we propose the use of a fuzzy expert system to predict the need for advanced neonatal resuscitation efforts in the delivery room. This system relates the maternal medical, obstetric and neonatal characteristics to the clinical conditions of the newborn, providing a risk measurement of need of advanced neonatal resuscitation measures. It is structured as a fuzzy composition developed on the basis of the subjective perception of danger of nine neonatologists facing 61 antenatal and intrapartum clinical situations which provide a degree of association with the risk of occurrence of perinatal asphyxia. The resulting relational matrix describes the association between clinical factors and risk of perinatal asphyxia. Analyzing the inputs of the presence or absence of all 61 clinical factors, the system returns the rate of risk of perinatal asphyxia as output. A prospectively collected series of 304 cases of perinatal care was analyzed to ascertain system performance. The fuzzy expert system presented a sensitivity of 76.5% and specificity of 94.8% in the identification of the need for advanced neonatal resuscitation measures, considering a cut-off value of 5 on a scale ranging from 0 to 10. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.93. The identification of risk situations plays an important role in the planning of health care. These preliminary results encourage us to develop further studies and to refine this model, which is intended to implement an auxiliary system able to help health care staff to make decisions in perinatal care.

Social disability of Brazilian mood disorder patients

Mood disorders cause many social problems, often involving family relationships. Few studies are available in the literature comparing patients with bipolar, unipolar, dysthymic, and double depressive disorders concerning these aspects. In the present study, demographic and disease data were collected using a specifically prepared questionnaire. Social adjustment was assessed using the Disability Adjustment Scale and family relationships were evaluated using the Global Assessment of Relational Functioning Scale. One hundred patients under treatment for at least 6 months were evaluated at the Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic of the Botucatu School of Medicine, UNESP. Most patients were women (82%) more than 50 (49%) years old with at least two years of follow-up, with little schooling (62% had less than 4 years), and of low socioeconomic level. Logistic regression analysis showed that a diagnosis of unipolar disorder (P = 0.003, OR = 0.075, CI = 0.014-0.403) and dysthymia (P = 0.001, OR = 0.040, CI = 0.006-0.275) as well as family relationships (P = 0.002, OR = 0.953, CI = 0914-0.992) played a significant role in social adjustment. Unipolar and dysthymic patients presented better social adjustment than bipolar and double depressive patients (P < 0.001), results that were not due to social class. These patients, treated at a teaching hospital, may represent the severest mood disorder cases. Evaluations were made knowing the diagnosis of the patients, which might also have influenced some of the results. Social disabilities among mood disorder patients are very frequent and intensive.

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Kirjallisuusarvostelu

Vuorovaikutusrituaalin käsitteen kritiikki

Kirjallisuusarvostelu

Multicultural Belonging. Individuals across cultures, languages and places

The article-based doctoral dissertation deals with adult individuals in Western societies who were born into multilingual and multicultural families and have parents of different nationalities. The study’s participants grew up outside their parents’ countries of origin and relate to a multitude of bonds that link them across various cultures, languages and places. The study explores the social dimension of cultural belonging and examines diverse approaches that enable the participants to create notions of belonging and identification despite possessing at times contradictory transnational allegiances. The works offers new perspectives on transnational belonging and makes a timely contribution to discussions in the fields of cultural heritage studies, ethnology and transnational studies. The dissertation combines qualitative research methods with an insider perspective. The empirical material is based on semi-structured interviews with fifteen participants, among which are also the author’s siblings. The study addresses the relevance of the author’s personal situatedness and her multi-faceted roles as well as ethical concerns related to the methodological approach of insider research. The social dimension of cultural identities affect both the participants’ identification with their multiple attachments and language use in everyday life. The key research findings present interrelated discussions of the participants’ notion of being a mixture, the importance of family bonds and multilingualism, a specific mixed family lifestyle, the notion of non-belonging and the study participants’ sense of otherness as a means of creating communality with others. The study discusses the participants’ various life strategies of flexible relativising, juggling with multiple affiliations, the approach of “blending in” and their sense of ironic nation-ness for constructing a coherent sense of belonging. The author argues that multicultural belonging is inextricably connected to an association with multiple languages, cultures and places. Multicultural belonging is relational and depends on the context, social relationships and locations. The study proposes that multicultural belonging creates a tolerant understanding of membership and enables experiences of cosmopolitanism and selected notions of allegiance.

Estado, bloco no poder e acumulação capitalista: uma abordagem teórica

State, power block and capitalist accumulation: a theoretical approach. This article aims to elaborate a theory, based on Poulantzas, about the role of the State in a capitalist economy through a relational perspective that perceives the State as a field and a strategic process for the disputes of class fractions within the power bloc. In order to do so, it exposes the relation between State and accumulation at an abstract-formal level, emphasising the limitations of studies that use only this dimension. Next, it analyzes the role of the power bloc in mediating between the abstract and concrete levels of the State, observing that public policies are elaborated as a result of the clashes within the power bloc. Finally, it promotes a discussion on the external constraints (international system) that are affected and affect the State and, consequently, the dynamics of the power bloc.

Oppisopimuskoulutus yritysten tuottamana koulutuspalveluna: tavoitteista vaikutuksiin

Työpaikoilla tapahtuvan koulutuksen merkitys korostuu yhteiskunnassa kaikilla tasoilla nyt ja tulevaisuudessa. Tämä väitöstutkimus määrittelee oppisopimuskoulutuksen yritysten tuottamana koulutuspalveluna osana ammatillista tutkintoon johtavaa koulutusta, jota tuotetaan työpaikoilla ja yrityksissä. Väitöstutkimuksessa tarkastellaan niitä tavoitteita, joita yrityksissä oppisopimuskoulutukseen liittyy ja vaikutuksia, joita koulutusta tuottamalla yrityksessä syntyy. Tutkimuksen kohteena ovat eri alojen pienet ja keskisuuret yritykset (pk-yritykset), jotka ovat tuottaneet oppisopimuskoulutusta ja joilla on siitä vuosien kokemus. Lisäksi tutkimukseen osallistui pk-yrityksiä, joille oppisopimuskoulutus ja siihen liittyvä toiminta on vierasta. Tutkimus tuo uutta tietoa vain vähän tutkittuun aikuisten oppisopimuskoulutukseen, mutta ei sulje pois nuorten oppisopimuskoulutukseen liittyviä kysymyksiä. Tutkimus yhdistää oppisopimuskoulutuksen ja koulutuksen tuottamisen yrityksissä, mikä uudistaa sekä oppisopimuskoulutukseen, ammatilliseen koulutukseen, palvelun tuottamiseen että osaamiseen liittyvää teoreettista viitekehystä. Lisäksi tutkimus tuo yrityksille sekä oppisopimuskoulutuksen hallinnollisille tahoille palvelun tuottamisen ja siihen liittyvien tavoitteiden ja vaikutusten näkökulman. Väitöstutkimuksen teoreettinen viitekehys perustuu ja jakautuu kolmeen osaan: palveluun ja sen tuottamiseen, osaamispääomiin ja niiden eri muotoihin sekä vaikutuksiin palvelutuotannossa. Teoreettinen viitekehys kuvaa monimuotoisesti oppisopimuskoulutuksen ilmiötä, jonka olemus muuttuu sen mukaan, miten, kuka tai mikä taho sitä arvioi tai tarkastelee. Väitöstutkimus on empiiriseltä luonteeltaan kvalitatiivinen tutkimus, jonka aineisto on kerätty teemahaastatteluilla vuoden 2013 lopulla ja vuoden 2014 alussa. Aineisto on analysoitu sisällönanalyysillä aineistolähtöisesti. Tutkimusote pohjautuu abduktiiviseen päättelyyn. Tutkimustulokset esitetään ja luokitellaan niin tavoitteiden kuin vaikutusten osalta inhimillisen, rakenteellisen ja suhdepääoman kautta. Tutkimuksen mukaan oppisopimuskoulutuksen vaikutukset nähdään positiivisina ja neutraaleina, eikä alakohtaisia eroja vaikutusten osalta juuri ole. Myönteisten vaikutusten saavuttamiseen liittyy tärkeänä osana arvon luomisen ja tuottamisen kokemus molemmilla koulutukseen osallistuvilla osapuolilla. Lisäksi myönteisten vaikutusten taustalla ovat yrityksen sitoutuminen sekä työn ja koulutuksen johtamisosaaminen. Yrityksissä on tärkeää, että imago kouluttajana on hyvä. Oppisopimuskoulutuksen tuottamisesta syntyneet vaikutukset ovat asetettuja tavoitteita laajemmat, erityisesti rakenteelliseen pääomaan liittyvien vaikutusten osalta. Oppisopimuskoulutuksen vaikuttavuus yrityksessä syntyy asetettujen tavoitteiden ja vaikutusten välisestä suhteesta. Kokonaisuutena voidaan todeta, että oppisopimuskoulutuksen vaikuttavuus ja suorituskyky yrityksissä ovat hyvät, vaikka koulutuksen laatu vaihtelee jonkin verran. Oppisopimuskoulutuksen käynnistäminen, aloittaminen ja tuottaminen liittyvät usein niin sanottuihin oppisopimusagentteihin eli sellaisiin kehityshakuisiin henkilöihin, joilla jossakin elämäntilanteessa on ollut myönteisiä kokemuksia oppisopimuskoulutuksen mahdollisuuksista. Tutkimuksen mukaan oppisopimuskoulutuksen kustannukset koostuvat työsuhteesta, tietopuolisen koulutuksen aikaisesta työstä poissaolosta sekä ohjauksesta ja arvioinnista, mutta koulutusta pidetään taloudellisesti kannattavana. Oppisopimuskoulutuksen tuottamista estävät pääasiassa viestinnän ja tiedottamisen puute, koulutusmahdollisuuden tunnistamatta jääminen, yritysten heikko koulutuskulttuuri sekä epäselvät mielikuvat ja käsitykset. Nuorten oppisopimuskoulutuksen toteuttamisen hidasteina ovat tutkimuksen mukaan työsuhteeseen ja talouteen liittyvät seikat, nuorten kasvun vaiheeseen sisältyvät tekijät sekä monenlaiset pedagogiset ja eettiset kysymykset. Lisäksi tutkimuksessa havaittiin, että nuori on käsitteenä ja viiteryhmänä epämääräinen. Ammatillisen koulutuksen ja oppisopimuskoulutuksen eri muodot ja monet käsitteet myös aiheuttavat epäselvyyttä molemmissa tutkimuksen konteksteissa eli yrityksissä, joissa oppisopimuskoulutusta tuotetaan sekä yrityksissä, joissa sitä ei tuoteta.

Towards automated derivation in the theory of allegories

We provide an algorithm that automatically derives many provable theorems in the equational theory of allegories. This was accomplished by noticing properties of an existing decision algorithm that could be extended to provide a derivation in addition to a decision certificate. We also suggest improvements and corrections to previous research in order to motivate further work on a complete derivation mechanism. The results presented here are significant for those interested in relational theories, since we essentially have a subtheory where automatic proof-generation is possible. This is also relevant to program verification since relations are well-suited to describe the behaviour of computer programs. It is likely that extensions of the theory of allegories are also decidable and possibly suitable for further expansions of the algorithm presented here.

ReAlM - a system to manipulate relations

Given a heterogeneous relation algebra R, it is well known that the algebra of matrices with coefficient from R is relation algebra with relational sums that is not necessarily finite. When a relational product exists or the point axiom is given, we can represent the relation algebra by concrete binary relations between sets, which means the algebra may be seen as an algebra of Boolean matrices. However, it is not possible to represent every relation algebra. It is well known that the smallest relation algebra that is not representable has only 16 elements. Such an algebra can not be put in a Boolean matrix form.[15] In [15, 16] it was shown that every relation algebra R with relational sums and sub-objects is equivalent to an algebra of matrices over a suitable basis. This basis is given by the integral objects of R, and is, compared to R, much smaller. Aim of my thesis is to develop a system called ReAlM - Relation Algebra Manipulator - that is capable of visualizing computations in arbitrary relation algebras using the matrix approach.

Extending relAPS to first order logic

RelAPS is an interactive system assisting in proving relation-algebraic theorems. The aim of the system is to provide an environment where a user can perform a relation-algebraic proof similar to doing it using pencil and paper. The previous version of RelAPS accepts only Horn-formulas. To extend the system to first order logic, we have defined and implemented a new language based on theory of allegories as well as a new calculus. The language has two different kinds of terms; object terms and relational terms, where object terms are built from object constant symbols and object variables, and relational terms from typed relational constant symbols, typed relational variables, typed operation symbols and the regular operations available in any allegory. The calculus is a mixture of natural deduction and the sequent calculus. It is formulated in a sequent style but with exactly one formula on the right-hand side. We have shown soundness and completeness of this new logic which verifies that the underlying proof system of RelAPS is working correctly.

Relation of temperament and authoritative parenting on subtypes of adolescent behaviour

Over the years, researchers have investigated direct, conditional, and meditational pathways of adolescent aggression in relation to both temperament and parenting behaviours. However, no study to date has considered these relations with respect to a measure of aggression differentiated by form (e.g., overt, relational) and function (e.g., proactive, reactive). The present study examined the differential association of adolescent temperament and authoritative parenting on four subtypes of aggression. Participants included mothers, fathers, and one adolescent (between the ages of 10-19) from 663 families, recruited through random digit dialing. Parents reported on their child's temperament and occurrence of aggressive behaviours in addition to the perception of their own authoritative parenting. Adolescents reported on their own temperament and aggressive behaviours as well as on both their mother and father's authoritative parenting. Multiple regression analyses confirmed predictions that some aspects of temperament and authoritative parenting provide motivation towards the engagement of different aggressive behaviours. For example, higher negative affect was related to reactive types of aggression, whereas a strong desire for novel or risky behaviours related to proactive aggression. However, differences in effortful control altered the trajectory for both relationships. Higher levels of self-regulation reduced the impact of negative affect on reactive-overt aggression. Greater self-regulation also reduced the impact of surgency on proactive-overt aggression when age was a factor. Structural equation modeling was then used to assess the process through which adolescents become more or less susceptible to impulsive behaviours. Although the issue ofbi-directionality cannot be ruled out, temperament characteristics were the proximal correlate for aggression subtypes as opposed to authoritative parenting dimensions. Effortful control was found to partially mediate the relation between parental acceptancelinvolvement and reactive-relational and reactive-overt aggression, suggesting that higher levels of warmth and support as perceived by the child related to increased levels of self-regulation and emotional control, which in tum lead to less reactive-relational and less reactive-overt types of aggression in adolescents. On the other hand, negative affect partially mediated the relation between parental psychological autonomy granting and these two subtypes of aggression, supporting predictions that higher levels of autonomy granting (perceived independence) related to lower levels of frustration, which in tum lead to less reactive-relational and reactive-overt aggression in adolescents. Both findings provide less evidence for the evocative person-environment correlation and more support for temperament being an open system shaped by experience and authoritative parenting dimensions. As one of the first known studies examining the differential association of authoritative parenting and temperament on aggression subtypes, this study demonstrates the role parents can play in shaping and altering their children's temperament and the effects it can have on aggressive behaviour.