Determination of the size of quantum dots by fluorescence spectroscopy.

There has been a lack of quick, simple and reliable methods for determination of nanoparticle size. An investigation of the size of hydrophobic (CdSe) and hydrophilic (CdSe/ZnS) quantum dots was performed by using the maximum position of the corresponding fluorescence spectrum. It has been found that fluorescence spectroscopy is a simple and reliable methodology to estimate the size of both quantum dot types. For a given solution, the homogeneity of the size of quantum dots is correlated to the relationship between the fluorescence maximum position (FMP) and the quantum dot size. This methodology can be extended to the other fluorescent nanoparticles. The employment of evolving factor analysis and multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares for decomposition of the series of quantum dots fluorescence spectra recorded by a specific measuring procedure reveals the number of quantum dot fractions having different diameters. The size of the quantum dots in a particular group is defined by the FMP of the corresponding component in the decomposed spectrum. These results show that a combination of the fluorescence and appropriate statistical method for decomposition of the emission spectra of nanoparticles may be a quick and trusted method for the screening of the inhomogeneity of their solution.

Linking landscape- and population ecology for large population management modelling: the case of Ibex (capra ibex) in Switzerland

La biologie de la conservation est communément associée à la protection de petites populations menacées d?extinction. Pourtant, il peut également être nécessaire de soumettre à gestion des populations surabondantes ou susceptibles d?une trop grande expansion, dans le but de prévenir les effets néfastes de la surpopulation. Du fait des différences tant quantitatives que qualitatives entre protection des petites populations et contrôle des grandes, il est nécessaire de disposer de modèles et de méthodes distinctes. L?objectif de ce travail a été de développer des modèles prédictifs de la dynamique des grandes populations, ainsi que des logiciels permettant de calculer les paramètres de ces modèles et de tester des scénarios de gestion. Le cas du Bouquetin des Alpes (Capra ibex ibex) - en forte expansion en Suisse depuis sa réintroduction au début du XXème siècle - servit d?exemple. Cette tâche fut accomplie en trois étapes : En premier lieu, un modèle de dynamique locale, spécifique au Bouquetin, fut développé : le modèle sous-jacent - structuré en classes d?âge et de sexe - est basé sur une matrice de Leslie à laquelle ont été ajoutées la densité-dépendance, la stochasticité environnementale et la chasse de régulation. Ce modèle fut implémenté dans un logiciel d?aide à la gestion - nommé SIM-Ibex - permettant la maintenance de données de recensements, l?estimation automatisée des paramètres, ainsi que l?ajustement et la simulation de stratégies de régulation. Mais la dynamique d?une population est influencée non seulement par des facteurs démographiques, mais aussi par la dispersion et la colonisation de nouveaux espaces. Il est donc nécessaire de pouvoir modéliser tant la qualité de l?habitat que les obstacles à la dispersion. Une collection de logiciels - nommée Biomapper - fut donc développée. Son module central est basé sur l?Analyse Factorielle de la Niche Ecologique (ENFA) dont le principe est de calculer des facteurs de marginalité et de spécialisation de la niche écologique à partir de prédicteurs environnementaux et de données d?observation de l?espèce. Tous les modules de Biomapper sont liés aux Systèmes d?Information Géographiques (SIG) ; ils couvrent toutes les opérations d?importation des données, préparation des prédicteurs, ENFA et calcul de la carte de qualité d?habitat, validation et traitement des résultats ; un module permet également de cartographier les barrières et les corridors de dispersion. Le domaine d?application de l?ENFA fut exploré par le biais d?une distribution d?espèce virtuelle. La comparaison à une méthode couramment utilisée pour construire des cartes de qualité d?habitat, le Modèle Linéaire Généralisé (GLM), montra qu?elle était particulièrement adaptée pour les espèces cryptiques ou en cours d?expansion. Les informations sur la démographie et le paysage furent finalement fusionnées en un modèle global. Une approche basée sur un automate cellulaire fut choisie, tant pour satisfaire aux contraintes du réalisme de la modélisation du paysage qu?à celles imposées par les grandes populations : la zone d?étude est modélisée par un pavage de cellules hexagonales, chacune caractérisée par des propriétés - une capacité de soutien et six taux d?imperméabilité quantifiant les échanges entre cellules adjacentes - et une variable, la densité de la population. Cette dernière varie en fonction de la reproduction et de la survie locale, ainsi que de la dispersion, sous l?influence de la densité-dépendance et de la stochasticité. Un logiciel - nommé HexaSpace - fut développé pour accomplir deux fonctions : 1° Calibrer l?automate sur la base de modèles de dynamique (par ex. calculés par SIM-Ibex) et d?une carte de qualité d?habitat (par ex. calculée par Biomapper). 2° Faire tourner des simulations. Il permet d?étudier l?expansion d?une espèce envahisseuse dans un paysage complexe composé de zones de qualité diverses et comportant des obstacles à la dispersion. Ce modèle fut appliqué à l?histoire de la réintroduction du Bouquetin dans les Alpes bernoises (Suisse). SIM-Ibex est actuellement utilisé par les gestionnaires de la faune et par les inspecteurs du gouvernement pour préparer et contrôler les plans de tir. Biomapper a été appliqué à plusieurs espèces (tant végétales qu?animales) à travers le Monde. De même, même si HexaSpace fut initialement conçu pour des espèces animales terrestres, il pourrait aisément être étndu à la propagation de plantes ou à la dispersion d?animaux volants. Ces logiciels étant conçus pour, à partir de données brutes, construire un modèle réaliste complexe, et du fait qu?ils sont dotés d?une interface d?utilisation intuitive, ils sont susceptibles de nombreuses applications en biologie de la conservation. En outre, ces approches peuvent également s?appliquer à des questions théoriques dans les domaines de l?écologie des populations et du paysage.<br/><br/>Conservation biology is commonly associated to small and endangered population protection. Nevertheless, large or potentially large populations may also need human management to prevent negative effects of overpopulation. As there are both qualitative and quantitative differences between small population protection and large population controlling, distinct methods and models are needed. The aim of this work was to develop theoretical models to predict large population dynamics, as well as computer tools to assess the parameters of these models and to test management scenarios. The alpine Ibex (Capra ibex ibex) - which experienced a spectacular increase since its reintroduction in Switzerland at the beginning of the 20th century - was used as paradigm species. This task was achieved in three steps: A local population dynamics model was first developed specifically for Ibex: the underlying age- and sex-structured model is based on a Leslie matrix approach with addition of density-dependence, environmental stochasticity and culling. This model was implemented into a management-support software - named SIM-Ibex - allowing census data maintenance, parameter automated assessment and culling strategies tuning and simulating. However population dynamics is driven not only by demographic factors, but also by dispersal and colonisation of new areas. Habitat suitability and obstacles modelling had therefore to be addressed. Thus, a software package - named Biomapper - was developed. Its central module is based on the Ecological Niche Factor Analysis (ENFA) whose principle is to compute niche marginality and specialisation factors from a set of environmental predictors and species presence data. All Biomapper modules are linked to Geographic Information Systems (GIS); they cover all operations of data importation, predictor preparation, ENFA and habitat suitability map computation, results validation and further processing; a module also allows mapping of dispersal barriers and corridors. ENFA application domain was then explored by means of a simulated species distribution. It was compared to a common habitat suitability assessing method, the Generalised Linear Model (GLM), and was proven better suited for spreading or cryptic species. Demography and landscape informations were finally merged into a global model. To cope with landscape realism and technical constraints of large population modelling, a cellular automaton approach was chosen: the study area is modelled by a lattice of hexagonal cells, each one characterised by a few fixed properties - a carrying capacity and six impermeability rates quantifying exchanges between adjacent cells - and one variable, population density. The later varies according to local reproduction/survival and dispersal dynamics, modified by density-dependence and stochasticity. A software - named HexaSpace - was developed, which achieves two functions: 1° Calibrating the automaton on the base of local population dynamics models (e.g., computed by SIM-Ibex) and a habitat suitability map (e.g. computed by Biomapper). 2° Running simulations. It allows studying the spreading of an invading species across a complex landscape made of variously suitable areas and dispersal barriers. This model was applied to the history of Ibex reintroduction in Bernese Alps (Switzerland). SIM-Ibex is now used by governmental wildlife managers to prepare and verify culling plans. Biomapper has been applied to several species (both plants and animals) all around the World. In the same way, whilst HexaSpace was originally designed for terrestrial animal species, it could be easily extended to model plant propagation or flying animals dispersal. As these softwares were designed to proceed from low-level data to build a complex realistic model and as they benefit from an intuitive user-interface, they may have many conservation applications. Moreover, theoretical questions in the fields of population and landscape ecology might also be addressed by these approaches.

Monitoring of crystallization processes by using infrared spectroscopy and multivariate methods

Väitöstutkimuksessa on tarkasteltuinfrapunaspektroskopian ja monimuuttujaisten aineistonkäsittelymenetelmien soveltamista kiteytysprosessin monitoroinnissa ja kidemäisen tuotteen analysoinnissa. Parhaillaan kiteytysprosessitutkimuksessa maailmanlaajuisesti tutkitaan intensiivisesti erilaisten mittausmenetelmien soveltamista kiteytysprosessin ilmiöidenjatkuvaan mittaamiseen niin nestefaasista kuin syntyvistä kiteistäkin. Lisäksi tuotteen karakterisointi on välttämätöntä tuotteen laadun varmistamiseksi. Erityisesti lääkeaineiden valmistuksessa kiinnostusta tämäntyyppiseen tutkimukseen edistää Yhdysvaltain elintarvike- ja lääkeaineviraston (FDA) prosessianalyyttisiintekniikoihin (PAT) liittyvä ohjeistus, jossa määritellään laajasti vaatimukset lääkeaineiden valmistuksessa ja tuotteen karakterisoinnissa tarvittaville mittauksille turvallisten valmistusprosessien takaamiseksi. Jäähdytyskiteytyson erityisesti lääketeollisuudessa paljon käytetty erotusmenetelmä kiinteän raakatuotteen puhdistuksessa. Menetelmässä puhdistettava kiinteä raaka-aine liuotetaan sopivaan liuottimeen suhteellisen korkeassa lämpötilassa. Puhdistettavan aineen liukoisuus käytettävään liuottimeen laskee lämpötilan laskiessa, joten systeemiä jäähdytettäessä liuenneen aineen konsentraatio prosessissa ylittää liukoisuuskonsentraation. Tällaiseen ylikylläiseen systeemiin pyrkii muodostumaan uusia kiteitä tai olemassa olevat kiteet kasvavat. Ylikylläisyys on yksi tärkeimmistä kidetuotteen laatuun vaikuttavista tekijöistä. Jäähdytyskiteytyksessä syntyvän tuotteen ominaisuuksiin voidaan vaikuttaa mm. liuottimen valinnalla, jäähdytyprofiililla ja sekoituksella. Lisäksi kiteytysprosessin käynnistymisvaihe eli ensimmäisten kiteiden muodostumishetki vaikuttaa tuotteen ominaisuuksiin. Kidemäisen tuotteen laatu määritellään kiteiden keskimääräisen koon, koko- ja muotojakaumansekä puhtauden perusteella. Lääketeollisuudessa on usein vaatimuksena, että tuote edustaa tiettyä polymorfimuotoa, mikä tarkoittaa molekyylien kykyä järjestäytyä kidehilassa usealla eri tavalla. Edellä mainitut ominaisuudet vaikuttavat tuotteen jatkokäsiteltävyyteen, kuten mm. suodattuvuuteen, jauhautuvuuteen ja tabletoitavuuteen. Lisäksi polymorfiamuodolla on vaikutusta moniin tuotteen käytettävyysominaisuuksiin, kuten esim. lääkeaineen liukenemisnopeuteen elimistössä. Väitöstyössä on tutkittu sulfatiatsolin jäähdytyskiteytystä käyttäen useita eri liuotinseoksia ja jäähdytysprofiileja sekä tarkasteltu näiden tekijöiden vaikutustatuotteen laatuominaisuuksiin. Infrapunaspektroskopia on laajalti kemian alan tutkimuksissa sovellettava menetelmä. Siinä mitataan tutkittavan näytteenmolekyylien värähtelyjen aiheuttamia spektrimuutoksia IR alueella. Tutkimuksessa prosessinaikaiset mittaukset toteutettiin in-situ reaktoriin sijoitettavalla uppoanturilla käyttäen vaimennettuun kokonaisheijastukseen (ATR) perustuvaa Fourier muunnettua infrapuna (FTIR) spektroskopiaa. Jauhemaiset näytteet mitattiin off-line diffuusioheijastukseen (DRIFT) perustuvalla FTIR spektroskopialla. Monimuuttujamenetelmillä (kemometria) voidaan useita satoja, jopa tuhansia muuttujia käsittävä spektridata jalostaa kvalitatiiviseksi (laadulliseksi) tai kvantitatiiviseksi (määrälliseksi) prosessia kuvaavaksi informaatioksi. Väitöstyössä tarkasteltiin laajasti erilaisten monimuuttujamenetelmien soveltamista mahdollisimman monipuolisen prosessia kuvaavan informaation saamiseksi mitatusta spektriaineistosta. Väitöstyön tuloksena on ehdotettu kalibrointirutiini liuenneen aineen konsentraation ja edelleen ylikylläisyystason mittaamiseksi kiteytysprosessin aikana. Kalibrointirutiinin kehittämiseen kuuluivat aineiston hyvyyden tarkastelumenetelmät, aineiston esikäsittelymenetelmät, varsinainen kalibrointimallinnus sekä mallin validointi. Näin saadaan reaaliaikaista informaatiota kiteytysprosessin ajavasta voimasta, mikä edelleen parantaa kyseisen prosessin tuntemusta ja hallittavuutta. Ylikylläisyystason vaikutuksia syntyvän kidetuotteen laatuun seurattiin usein kiteytyskokein. Työssä on esitetty myös monimuuttujaiseen tilastolliseen prosessinseurantaan perustuva menetelmä, jolla voidaan ennustaa spontaania primääristä ytimenmuodostumishetkeä mitatusta spektriaineistosta sekä mahdollisesti päätellä ydintymisessä syntyvä polymorfimuoto. Ehdotettua menetelmää hyödyntäen voidaan paitsi ennakoida kideytimien muodostumista myös havaita mahdolliset häiriötilanteet kiteytysprosessin alkuhetkillä. Syntyvää polymorfimuotoa ennustamalla voidaan havaita ei-toivotun polymorfin ydintyminen,ja mahdollisesti muuttaa kiteytyksen ohjausta halutun polymorfimuodon saavuttamiseksi. Monimuuttujamenetelmiä sovellettiin myös kiteytyspanosten välisen vaihtelun määrittämiseen mitatusta spektriaineistosta. Tämäntyyppisestä analyysistä saatua informaatiota voidaan hyödyntää kiteytysprosessien suunnittelussa ja optimoinnissa. Väitöstyössä testattiin IR spektroskopian ja erilaisten monimuuttujamenetelmien soveltuvuutta kidetuotteen polymorfikoostumuksen nopeaan määritykseen. Jauhemaisten näytteiden luokittelu eri polymorfeja sisältäviin näytteisiin voitiin tehdä käyttäen tarkoitukseen soveltuvia monimuuttujaisia luokittelumenetelmiä. Tämä tarjoaa nopean menetelmän jauhemaisen näytteen polymorfikoostumuksen karkeaan arviointiin, eli siihen mitä yksittäistä polymorfia kyseinen näyte pääasiassa sisältää. Varsinainen kvantitatiivinen analyysi, eli sen selvittäminen paljonko esim. painoprosentteina näyte sisältää eri polymorfeja, vaatii kaikki polymorfit kattavan fysikaalisen kalibrointisarjan, mikä voi olla puhtaiden polymorfien huonon saatavuuden takia hankalaa.

Psychometric properties of the French version of the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire

Este estudio instrumental fue diseñado para investigar las propiedades psicométricas de la versión francesa y replicabilidad transcultural del Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ) en sus factores y facetas. El ZKPQ es un instrumento destinado a evaluar los cinco factores básicos del Alternative Five-Factor Model (AFFM). Los participantes fueron 843 suizos francófonos, principalmente estudiantes universitarios. Obtenidos los factores estos mostraron una fiabilidad entre 0,73 y 0,87, y sus facetas entre 0,57 y 0,77. Las diferencias entre géneros son similares a las informadas en la muestra americana. Las mujeres alcanzaron puntuaciones superiores en N-Anx, y puntuaciones más bajas en ImpSS y Act. El resultado de los análisis factoriales exploratorios respaldó la estructura de cinco factores y sus correspondientes facetas. Las correlaciones entre las escalas sostienen que los cinco factores básicos del AFFM son ortogonales. Los coeficientes de congruencia muestran la elevada eplicabilidad transcultural de los factores y sus facetas. Se puso a prueba el ajuste del modelo en sus factores y facetas mediante análisis factorial confirmatorio. Los resultados indican que la versión en lengua francesa del ZKPQ es un instrumento fiable y válido y posee buena replicabilidad transcultural.

Financial convergence in transition economies: EU enlargement

This paper analyses the financial impact of the enlargement of the European Union (EU) to include 10 new Central and Eastern European Nations (CEEN) on firms’ business and financial structures. To this end, we employ quantitative analytic techniques and financial ratios. In this context, we hope to discover whether firms in the new EU member States tend to converge with business in the Europe of the 15 in terms of the structure of firms’ financial statements. We examine the extent to which the increasing integration of the former may foster the convergence of productive structures. The methodology followed consists of an analysis of the evolution of 12 financial ratios in a sample of firms obtained from the AMADEUS data base. To that end, we perform a Dynamic Factor Analysis that identifies the determining factors of the joint evolution of deviations in the financial ratios with respect to the average value of firms in the EU-15. This analysis allows us to analyse the convergence in each of the CEEN nations with respect to the EU-15.

Caracterización selvícola de las masas monoespecíficas de pino laricio en Cataluña

En el presente trabajo se ha abordado, a partir de la información suministrada por el Segundo Inventario Forestal Nacional, la caracterización de las masas monoespecíficas de pino laricio en Cataluña (NE de España), formalizándola en una tipología de enfoque silvogenético. Basándose en los resultados obtenidos del análisis factorial realizado sobre variables dasométricas, los categoremas de la tipología se articularon sobre aspectos concernientes a la distribución diamétrica y espesura del rodal, identificándose nueve tipos. El carácter irregularizado, presente en cinco de ellos aunque con rasgos diferentes, se examinó a través de la distribución de Weibull truncada. La tipología, que se maneja computando tan sólo el nivel de regenerado y los diámetros de los pies inventariables, contempla los distintos estadios evolutivos y permite diagnosticar situaciones comprometidas en cuanto a la persistencia de la masa, bien causadas por deficientes estados de espesura o por falta de regenerado.

Spanish adaptation of the Expectancy Questionnaire (EQ) about alcohol effects in adolescents

Background: Alcohol-related expectancies are especially relevant in relation to alcohol consumption during adolescence. The main aim of this study was to adapt and translate into Spanish (Castilian) the Expectancy Questionnaire (EQ), and to study its psychometric properties in adolescents. Method: The sample was composed of 514 adolescents (57.20% female, mean age = 15.21; SD = .63) who completed the EQ and the alcohol consumption questionnaire AIS-UJI. Results: Confi rmatory factor analysis indicated that an eight-factor model, grouped into two general factors of positive and negative expectancies, had acceptable fi t indices. Cronbach’s alphas ranged from .75 to .96. Finally, the structural equation model showed that positive expectancies were positively related to alcohol use, whereas negative expectancies were negatively related to drinking. Conclusions: Results showed that the Spanish version of the EQ for adolescents is a valid and reliable questionnaire to measure expectancies about alcohol effects.

The transtheoretical model in weight management: Validation of the Processes of Change Questionnaire

Objective: The processes of change implied in weight management remain unclear. The present study aimed to identify these processes by validating a questionnaire designed to assess processes of change (the P-Weight) in line with the transtheoretical model. The relationship of processes of change with stages of change and other external variables is also examined. Methods: Participants were 723 people from community and clinical settings in Barcelona. Their mean age was 32.07 (SD = 14.55) years; most of them were women (75.0%), and their mean BMI was 26.47 (SD = 8.52) kg/m2. They all completed the P-Weight and the stages of change questionnaire (SWeight), both applied to weight management, as well as two subscales from the Eating Disorders Inventory-2 and Eating Attitudes Test-40 questionnaires about the concern with dieting. Results: A 34-item version of the PWeight was obtained by means of a refinement process. The principal components analysis applied to half of the sample identified four processes of change. A confirmatory factor analysis was then carried out with the other half of the sample, revealing that the model of four freely correlated first-order factors showed the best fit (GFI = 0.988, AGFI = 0.986, NFI = 0.986, and SRMR = 0.0559). Corrected item-total correlations (0.322-0.865) and Cronbach"s alpha coefficients (0.781-0.960) were adequate. The relationship between the P-Weight and the S-Weight and the concern with dieting measures from other questionnaires supported the validity of the scale. Conclusion: The study identified processes of change involved in weight management and reports the adequate psychometric properties of the P-Weight. It also reveals the relationship between processes and stages of change and other external variables.

Puutuoteperheen markkinointisuunnitelma

Työssä on selvitetty erään mekaanisessa metsäteollisuudessa toimivan yrityksen puutuoteperheen markkinoita. Työn tavoitteena oli laatia uuden, massiivisesta männystä valmistetun sisustukseen tarkoitetun puutuoteperheen markkinointisuunnitelma kotimaan markkinoille. Markkinointisuunnitelman tehtävä oli vastata erityisesti seuraaviin kysymyksiin: millainen tuoteperhe kiinnostaa markkinoita, kuinka suuri kysyntä tuoteperheelle olisi, mitkä olisivat markkinointikanavat, ketkä ovat kilpailijoita ja millaisia heidän tuotteensa ovat, sekä millainen hintataso markkinoilla vallitsee? Tiedonhankintamenetelmänä työssä käytettiin haastattelututkimusta. Työssä tehtiin ympäristö- ja yritysanalyysi. Ympäristöanalyysiin kuului kysyntä-, asiakas-, kilpailija-, ja yhteisötekijäanalyysi. Yritysanalyysissä puolestaan käsiteltiin yrityksen perusajattelua, taloutta, voimavaroja, toimintoja ja tuotteita. Näiden pohjalta tehtiin SWOT-analyysi, johon perustettiin johtopäätökset strategioiden ja alustavan toimintasuunnitelman muodossa. Työn tuloksena saatiin tietoa markkinoista ja niiden vaatimuksista tuoteperheelle. Tulokset auttavat yrityksen johtoa sen arvioidessa mahdollisia investointeja sisustuspuutuotteiden valmistukseen ja markkinointiin.

PREVENTION OF CHILLING INJURY IN 'TOMMY ATKINS' MANGOES PREVIOUSLY STORED AT 5 ºC, USING HEAT TREATMENT AND RADIATION UV (UV-C)

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of heat treatment and ultraviolet radiation (UV-C) in the prevention of chilling injury in mangoes cv. Tommy Atkins previously stored or not under injury condition after their transference to ambient condition. Fruits were divided into groups: two were hydrothermally treated (46.1 ºC/90 min; 55 ºC/5 min) and two were exposed to UV-C radiation (1.14 kJ m-2; 2.28 kJ m-2). These groups were stored under chilling injury conditions (5 ºC for 14 days), as established in preliminary tests. Other untreated groups were stored at 12 ºC or 5 ºC. After the storage period, they were transferred to ambient conditions (21.9 ºC; 55% RH) and the quality was evaluated. All the data were submitted to multivariate analysis as the tool to verify the simultaneous effect of the treatments under the quality parameters. The multivariate analysis indicated that the hydrothermal treatments at 46.1 °C/90 min and 55 °C/5 min and the UV-C radiation at doses of 1.14 kJ m-2 and 2.28 kJ m-2 were effective in minimized the symptoms of chilling injury in mangoes ‘Tommy Atkins’ stored at 5 °C for 14 days. However, after their transference to environmental condition at 21.9 °C, only the UV-C kept this control, especially at a dose of 2.28 kJ m-2. This treatment did not prevent the development of the characteristic color or affected the normal ripening and allowed the conservation of fruit for a period of 14 days at 5 °C, plus seven days of storage at environmental condition, which corresponds to the shipping transportation plus the time for sale.

The Measurement Invariance of Schizotypy in Europe

The short version of the Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences (sO-LIFE) is a widely used measure assessing schizotypy. There is limited information, however, on how sO-LIFE scores compare across different countries. The main goal of the present study is to test the measurement invariance of the sO-LIFE scores in a large sample of non-clinical adolescents and young adults from four European countries (UK, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain). The scores were obtained from validated versions of the sO-LIFE in their respective languages. The sample comprised 4190 participants (M = 20.87 years; SD = 3.71 years). The study of the internal structure, using confirmatory factor analysis, revealed that both three (i.e., positive schizotypy, cognitive disorganisation, and introvertive anhedonia) and four-factor (i.e., positive schizotypy, cognitive disorganisation, introvertive anhedonia, and impulsive nonconformity) models fitted the data moderately well. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis showed that the three-factor model had partial strong measurement invariance across countries. Eight items were non-invariant across samples. Significant statistical differences in the mean scores of the s-OLIFE were found by country. Reliability scores, estimated with Ordinal alpha ranged from 0.75 to 0.87. Using the Item Response Theory framework, the sO-LIFE provides more accuracy information at the medium and high end of the latent trait. The current results show further evidence in support of the psychometric proprieties of the sO-LIFE, provide new information about the cross-cultural equivalence of schizotypy and support the use of this measure to screen for psychotic-like features and liability to psychosis in general population samples from different European countries.

Lappeenrannan teknillisen yliopiston opiskelijoiden yrittäjyyshalukkuus, yrittäjyyssopivuus ja opintomenestys

The aim of this thesis was to clarify willingness and suitability for entrepreneurship among students of Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT). In addition factors that would explain academic achievement and if there were relationship between academic achievement and willingness or suitability for entrepreneurship were examined. Questionnaires were sent via e-mail to 800 students of LUT in summer 2007. Response percent was 29,6 %. Based on the collected answers factors of entrepreneurial motivation and academic achievement were analyzed using mainly Pearson’s correlation coefficient and factor analysis. In the light of these factors willingness and suitability for entrepreneurship and academic achievement were examined. The results indicated that 36,7 % of the respondents were willing and 11,4 % were suitable for entrepreneurship. The largest share of the willing ones was focused on Department of Mechanical Engineering, whereas the smallest share on Department of Environmental Technology. The largest shares of the suitable ones were on Departments of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, and the smallest shares on Departments of Environmental, Chemical and Energy Technology. Academic achievement was affected by, among others, exercising and success in high school. Academic achievement and willingness or suitability for entrepreneurship didn’t correlate. Yet, from factors of entrepreneurial motivation internal locus of control correlated positively with academic achievement.

Ethnic identity construction in Chiapas: examining the role of higher intercultural education model = La construcción de la identidad étnica en Chiapas : examinando el rol de un modelo de educación superior intercultural

This study explored ethnic identity among 410 mestizo students who were attending one of three universities, which varied in their ethnic composition and their educative model. One of these universities was private and had mostly mestizo students such as the public one did. The third educative context, also public, had an intercultural model of education and the students were mixed among mestizo and indigenous. The Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM) was administered to high school students in order to compare their scores on ethnic identity and its components: affi rmation, belonging or commitment and exploration. Principle components factor analysis with varimax rotation and tests of mean group differences are performed. The results showed signifi cant differences between the studied groups. Scores on ethnic identity and its components were signifi cantly higher among mestizos group from University with intercultural model of education than mestizos from public and private universities of the same region. Implications of these fi ndings for education are considered, as they are the strengths as well as the limitations of this research

The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ-Fin) among Finnish children and adolescents

Objective: The psychometric properties of The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ-Fin), a Finnish version of a brief screening instrument were studied. Emotional and behavioural problems of 7- to 15-year-olds measured by the SDQ were reported, as well as the occurrence of self-reported eating disturbance symptoms and alcohol use among adolescents. Methods and samples: The cross-sectional school survey included 25 items of the SDQ-Fin, items about eating disturbance, alchol use and child psychiatric help-seeking. The study consists of three community samples: 1. The SDQ-Fin parent (n = 703) and teacher (n = 376) versions of 7 – 12 –year-olds, and self-report versions (n = 528) of 11 – 16 years-olds were obtained, and 2. the parent (n = 81) and self-report versions of 15-16 –year olds (n = 129) were obtained in Laitila and Pyhäranta. 3. The self-report versions of 13 – 16 – year-olds (n = 1458) in Salo and Rovaniemi were obtained. Results: The psychometric properties of the SDQ-Fin were for the most part comparable with the other European SDQ research results. The internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.71 in all informants’ reports) and inter-rater reliability (between the pairs of reports r = 0.38 - 0.44) were adequate. The concurrent validity (r = 0.75 between the SDQ and the CBCL total scores; r = 0.71 between the SDQ and the YSR total scores) was sufficient. Factor analysis of the SDQ self-report generally confirmed the postulated structure for girls and boys, except for the conduct problems scale of boys, which was fused with emotional symptoms and with hyperactivity. The response rates, means and cut-off points of the SDQ self-report scores were similar to those found, e.g. in Norway and in Britain. A high level of psychological problems, especially emotional and conduct problems and hyperactivity-inattention, were associated with high level of eating disturbance symptoms and alcohol use. Conclusion: The results showed that the psychometric properties of the SDQ-Fin are adequate and provide additional confirmation of the usefulness of the SDQ-Fin for, e.g. screening, epidemiological research and clinical purposes.

A Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial of Preemptive Antifungal Therapy for the Prevention of Invasive Candidiasis Following Gastrointestinal Surgery for Intra-abdominal Infections.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing emergency gastrointestinal surgery for intra-abdominal infection are at risk of invasive candidiasis (IC) and candidates for preemptive antifungal therapy. METHODS: This exploratory, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessed a preemptive antifungal approach with micafungin (100 mg/d) in intensive care unit patients requiring surgery for intra-abdominal infection. Coprimary efficacy variables were the incidence of IC and the time from baseline to first IC in the full analysis set; an independent data review board confirmed IC. An exploratory biomarker analysis was performed using logistic regression. RESULTS: The full analysis set comprised 124 placebo- and 117 micafungin-treated patients. The incidence of IC was 8.9% for placebo and 11.1% for micafungin (difference, 2.24%; [95% confidence interval, -5.52 to 10.20]). There was no difference between the arms in median time to IC. The estimated odds ratio showed that patients with a positive (1,3)-β-d-glucan (ßDG) result were 3.66 (95% confidence interval, 1.01-13.29) times more likely to have confirmed IC than those with a negative result. CONCLUSIONS: This study was unable to provide evidence that preemptive administration of an echinocandin was effective in preventing IC in high-risk surgical intensive care unit patients with intra-abdominal infections. This may have been because the drug was administered too late to prevent IC coupled with an overall low number of IC events. It does provide some support for using ßDG to identify patients at high risk of IC. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT01122368.