Soodakattilalaitoksen ohjeiston kehittäminen ja tuotteistaminen

Soodakattila on osa selluloosatehdasta. Selluloosatehtaan tehokkuuden ja ympäristöystävällisyyden ratkaisevin tekijä ovat työntekijät. Puutteellisten ja vanhentuneiden ohjeiden avulla tehtaan operaattorit eivät pysty kehittämään omaa osaamistaan ja edelleen tehostamaan laitoksen toimintaa. Työntekijöiden toiminnan tukeminen päivittäisissä työtehtävissä onkin tehokas tapa parantaa niin soodakattilan kuin koko selluloosatehtaan energia- ja ympäristötaloutta. Työssä on tarkasteltu nykyistä soodakattilan käyttöohjeistoa ja selvitetty dokumentaation käyttäjäryhmät sekä näiden pohjalta laadittu uudistetun ohjeen sisältövaihtoehdot ja tekotavat. Työn tuloksena on havaittu, että ohjeen uudistaminen on helpointa toteuttaa ohjausjärjestelmään yhdistettyinä intranet-sivustona. Sivuston käyttöönotolla on saatavissa kustannussäästöjä, jotka seuraavat toiminnan tehostumisesta, ympäristöhaittojen vähenemisestä, laitoksen ylläpidon helpottumisesta, käyttövarmuuden parantumisesta ja nopeammasta käyttöönotosta. Työssä on esitetty ehdotus Andritz Oy:n sähköiseksi dokumentointitavaksi sekä listattu siihen liittyviä liiketoimintamahdollisuuksia.

Venture Capital: How to Valuate Infocom Start-ups?

Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli selvittää kuinka Infocom -alan käynnistysvaiheen yrityksiä voi arvioida pääomasijoitustoiminnassa. Pääomasijoittajien käyttämät arviointikriteerit selvitettiin kirjallisuuskatsauksen ja empiirisen osion avulla. Koska Infocom -alan käynnistysvaiheen omaisuuserät ovat pitkälti aineettomia, arviointikriteerit muodostavat pohjan yrityksen arvioinnille. Tutkimuksessa vertailtiin myös erilaisia arvonmääritysmenetelmiä ja niiden käyttökelpoisuutta Infocom alan käynnistysvaiheen yritysten arvonmäärityksessä. Tutkimuksen mukaan Infocom alan käynnistysvaiheen yritysten arvioiminen ja arvonmääritys perustuu pitkälti aineettomien omaisuuserien arviointiin: inhimillinen pääoma, suhde-, innovaatio- ja kehityspääoma ovat näiden yritysten tärkeimmät aineettomat omaisuuserät. Infocom -alan käynnistysvaiheen yritysten arvonmääritykseen ei ole olemassa yhtä universaalia työkalua, vaikka reaalioptio-teoria tuokin käyttökelpoisen näkökulman myös käynnistysvaiheen yritysten arviointiin. Tämän vuoksi aineettomien omaisuuserien arviointi ja mittaaminen, tulevaisuudessa myös niiden arvonmääritys, on tärkein lähtökohta onnistuneille Infocom alan käynnistysvaiheen yritysten arvonmäärityksille.

Prescription médicamenteuse inappropriée: les nouveaux critères STOPP/START [Prescribing inappropriate medication: the new STOPP/START criteria].

Prescribing inappropriate medication (PIM) is a common public health problem. Mainly due to associated adverse drugs events (ADE), it results in major morbidity and mortality, as well as increased healthcare utilization. For a long time, the systematic review of medications prescribed appeared as a solution for limiting PIM and the ADE associated with such prescriptions. With this aim and since 2008, the list of STOPP-START criteria has appeared as attractive in its design, as well as logical and easy to use. The initial version has just been updated and improved. After having detailed all improvements provided to the 2008 version, we present the result of its adaptation into French language by a group of French-speaking expert from Belgium, Canada, France, and Switzerland.

Les critères STOPP/START.v2 : adaptation en langue française. [STOPP/START.v2 criteria: Adaptation into French language]

Objectif STOPP/START est un outil de détection de la prescription médicamenteuse potentiellement inappropriée chez la personne de 65 ans ou plus. La version initiale de 2008 vient d'être mise à jour et améliorée par ses auteurs. Nous en présentons l'adaptation et la validation en langue française. Méthodes L'adaptation en français de l'outil STOPP/START.v2 a été réalisée par deux experts, confirmée par la méthode de traduction-inverse, et finalisée d'après les commentaires de neufs évaluateurs francophones, gériatres, pharmaciens cliniciens, et médecin généraliste de quatre pays (France, Belgique, Suisse, Canada). La validation a été complétée par une analyse de concordance inter-juge (CCI) des critères STOPP/START.v2 appliqués à dix vignettes cliniques standardisées. Résultats Les 115 critères de STOPP/START.v2 en français sont, par rapport à la version originale anglaise, identiques par leur classification mais adaptés en termes de présentation (critères START.v2 commençant par la condition clinique, et accompagnés par une justification du caractère inapproprié de l'omission) voire de formulation de certains critères. Cette adaptation en français est validée par (i) la traduction-inverse montrant le respect du sens clinique de la version originale, (ii) l'identification semblable des critères lorsque appliqués à dix vignettes cliniques par les neuf évaluateurs, et (iii) le haut niveau de concordance de ces neuf évaluations tant pour STOPP.v2 (CCI 0,849) que pour START.v2 (CCI 0,921). Conclusion L'adaptation en langue française des critères STOPP/START.v2 fournit aux cliniciens un outil de détection de la prescription médicamenteuse potentiellement inappropriée chez les personnes de 65 ans et plus qui est logique, fiable et facile à utiliser. Objective STOPP/START is a screening tool to detect potentially inappropriate prescribing in persons aged 65 or older. Its Irish authors recently updated and improved the initially published version of 2008. We present the adaptation and validation into French language of this updated tool. Methods STOPP/START.v2 was adapted into French by two experts, then confirmed by a translation-back translation method and finalised according to the comments of nine French-speaking assessors - geriatricians, pharmacologists and a general physician - from four countries (France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada). The validation was completed by an inter-rater reliability (IRR) analysis of the STOPP/START.v2 criteria applied to 10 standardized clinical vignettes. Results In comparison to the original English version, the 115 STOPP/START.v2 criteria in French language classify in identical manner, but the presentation has been adjusted (START.v2 first specifies the clinical condition followed by an explanation of the inappropriateness of the prescription or omission). This adaptation into French language was validated by means of (i) the translation/back-translation, which showed that the French version complied with the clinical meaning of the original criteria; (ii) the similar screening results when applied by the nine specialists to the 10 cases; and (iii) the high level of inter-rater reliability of these 9 evaluations, for both STOPP (IRR 0.849) and START.v2 (IRR 0.921). Conclusion The adaptation into French of the STOPP/START.v2 criteria provides clinicians with a screening tool to detect potentially inappropriate prescribing in patients aged 65 and older that is more logical, more reliable and easier to use.

Vers une prescription médicamenteuse appropriée chez les patients âgés à l'aide de STOPP/START.v2

STOPP/START est un outil d'optimisation de la prescription médicamenteuse chez les patients âgés. Mis à jour en 2015, cet article en présente une adaptation pratique pour la médecine générale, en français (www.louvainmedical.be, page d'accueil, rubrique didactique: accès libre), ainsi que les critères les plus fréquemment rencontrés chez des patients âgés fragiles.

Rediscovering profitability in entrepreneurship : evidence from Finnish high-technology start-ups

Denna avhandling utmanar sambandet mellan tillväxt och lönsamhet. Lönsamhet, som borde vara företagens största prioritet har nästan totalt försvunnit från entreprenörskapsfältet. Istället har den blivit ersatt av en fokus på tillväxt och framförallt hög tillväxt. Den nuvarande allmänna normen verkar vara att tillväxt blint prioriteras över lönsamhet. Detta beror på det förvrängda sambandet mellan tillväxt och lönsamhet; antagandet att hög tillväxt förr eller senare kommer att leda till hög lönsamhet. Således ses tillväxt som ett mått på ett företags framgång och som ett mål värt att eftersträva. Det har blivit fokuset i allmän media och entreprenörskapsforskning, något beslutfattarna försöker stöda och uppmuntra, entreprenörerna vill uppnå och finansiärerna vill skapa. Allt detta, oftast på bekostnad av lönsamhet. Denna avhandling strävar efter att få en ändring på detta genom att utmana denna nuvarande norm. Avhandlingens empiriska del fokuserar sig på nya finska högteknologiföretag inom bio- och IT-branschen. Tillväxtfenomenet studeras i tre olika kontexter: forskningen (en analys på 118 artiklar i ledande entreprenörskaps och managementjournaler), praktiken (en finansiell analys på 1039 nya företag) och bland intressenternas perspektiv (23 intervjuer med entreprenörer, beslutsfattare, offentliga finansiärer och riskfinansiärer). Resultaten bekräftar en stark förvrängning av tillväxt och lönsamhet inom de tre studerade kontexterna. Den finansiella analysen bekräftar resultaten av senare forskning och visar att lönsamhet, istället för tillväxt, är förutsättningen för fortsatt lönsam tillväxt. Resultaten stämmer oberoende av företagens ålder. Det visas även att en ändring i strategisk position är osannolik och mycket svår att genomföra. Detta lyfter fram nödvändigheten för startade företag att fokusera sig på rätt saker genast från start; skapandet av en lönsam affärsmodell.

Start-up of horizontal anaerobic reactors with sludge blanket and fixed bed for wastewater treatment from coffee processing by wet method

In this study it was evaluated the start-up procedures of anaerobic treatment system with three horizontal anaerobic reactors (R1, R2 and R3), installed in series, with volume of 1.2 L each. R1 had sludge blanket, and R2 and R3 had half supporter of bamboo and coconut fiber, respectively. As an affluent, it was synthesized wastewater from mechanical pulping of the coffee fruit by wet method, with a mean value of total chemical oxygen demand (CODtotal) of 16,003 mg L-1. The hydraulic retention time (HRT) in each reactor was 30 h. The volumetric organic loading (VOL) applied in R1 varied from 8.9 to 25.0 g of CODtotal (L d)-1. The mean removal efficiencies of CODtotal varied from 43 to 97% in the treatment system (R1+R2+R3), stabilizing above 80% after 30 days of operation. The mean content of methane in the biogas were of 70 to 76%, the mean volumetric production was 1.7 L CH4 (L reactor d)-1 in the system, and the higher conversions were around at 0.20 L CH4 (g CODremoved)-1 in R1 and R2. The mean values of pH in the effluents ranged from 6.8 to 8.3 and the mean values of total volatile acids remained below 200 mg L-1 in the effluent of R3. The concentrations of total phenols of the affluent ranged from 45 to 278 mg L-1, and the mean removal efficiency was of 52%. The start-up of the anaerobic treatment system occurred after 30 days of operation as a result of inoculation with anaerobic sludge with active microbiota.

Start-up of anaerobic reactors for slaughterhouse wastewater treatment

This study aimed to evaluate the start-up of a horizontal anaerobic fixed bed reactor (HAFBR) followed by an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) for the slaughterhouse wastewater treatment. HAFBR was filled with bamboo rings and had 1.2 m in length, 0.10 m in diameter and volume of 7.5 L. The UASB had the volume of 15 L. The HAFBR and UASB operated at organic loading rate and hydraulic retention time average of 8.46 and 3.77 kg m-3 d-1 of COD and 0.53 and 0.98 days, respectively. During 150 days of monitoring system it was found pH 6.8, relatively high values of bicarbonate alkalinity (> 1000 mg L-1) and reduced values of volatile acids (70 to 150 mg L-1), which afforded average removal efficiencies of COD total and total suspended solids of the order of 31 and 23% in HAFBR and 79% and 63% in UASB. It can be concluded that the generation and consumption of bicarbonate alkalinity and total volatile acids, thereby maintaining the pH during the study indicated stable operation of the reactors. The COD removal in the reactors was satisfactory especially when it considers that the assessment was conducted in a period of adaptation of organisms to the effluent and also the high organic load applied during this period.

Finnish Institutional Innovation Support Policies from Russian Entrepreneurs' Perspective: Establishing Cross-Border Technology Oriented Start-Up Firm

The purpose of this thesis is to study how Russian entrepreneurs perceive Finnish institutional environment and innovation support policies provided in the country, as well as to present a practical example in form of a case study of one technology oriented start-up firm which was established in Finland by Russian entrepreneurs. The empirical research of the thesis is conducted qualitatively in two parts. First part is conducted through online questionnaire with open questions in order to review the perceptions of Russian entrepreneurs in general. Second part is based on personal interviews with case company’s founders with the focus on the process of establishing the company in Finland. In the first part of the empirical research, five Russian start-up firms were contacted, and four responses were received. All of these responses were qualified for further analysis. The findings of the first part of the research reveal that Russian entrepreneurs have rather positive attitudes towards Finnish institutional innovation support policies. However, most of the entrepreneurs stated that they are unlikely to create their presence in Finland. As an outcome of the second part of the research, the process of establishing a case company in Finland is illustrated. In order to be able to establish companies in Finland, Russian entrepreneurs who have a permanent residence outside European Economic Area (EEA) are required to apply for a permission to perform business operations in the country. In addition, the established company must engage in improving the economical stand of the country by creating new work places, raising tax revenues, develop technologies and generate innovations in the country.

Influence of Link Structure on Search Engine Result Pages of Online Nursery Shops

The primary objective of this thesis is to assess how the backlink portfolio structure and off site Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) elements influence ranking of UK based online nursery shops. The growth of the internet use demanded significant effort from companies to optimize and increase their online presence in order to cope with the increasing online competition. The new e-Commerce technology - called Search Engine Optimisation - has been developed that helped increase website visibility of companies. The SEO process involves on site elements (i.e. changing the parameters of the company's website such as keywords, title tags and meta descriptions) and off site elements (link building and social media marketing activity). Link Building is based on several steps of marketing planning including keyword research and competitor analysis. The underlying goal of keyword research is to understand the targeted market through identifying relevant keyword queries that are used by targeted costumer group. In the analysis, three types (geographic, field and company’s strategy related) and seven sources of keywords has been identified and used as a base of analysis. Following the determination of the most popular keywords, allinanchor and allintitle search has been conducted and the first ten results of the searches have been collected to identify the companies with the most significant web presence among the nursery shops. Finally, Link Profiling has been performed where the essential goal was to understand to what extent other companies' link structure is different that the base company's backlinks. Significant difference has been found that distinguished the top three companies ranking in the allinanchor and allintitle search. The top three companies, „Mothercare”, „Mamas and Papas” and „Kiddicare” maintained significantly better metrics regarding domain and page authority on the main landing pages, the average number of outbound links for link portfolio metric and in number of backlinks. These companies also ranked among the highest in page authority distribution and followed external linking.

Building a creative city brand through an international mega-event : Case: Helsinki World Design Capital 2012

In order to grow, cities are increasingly competing for attention, jobs, investments, visitors, residents and significant events. Cities need to come up with creative solutions to keep up with the competition; they ought to become creative cities. Attracting talented and diverse inhabitants is a key factor in developing a creative city, which on is characterized by openness, tolerance, vibrancy and diversity. Along the need for renewed city images city brand building has become popular. Helsinki is the World Design Capital 2012 (WDC 2012) and this mega-event presents a meaningful opportunity for the city to broadcast itself globally. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how Helsinki brands itself as a creative city through an international mega-event. The sub-aims are to: 1) Map the factors behind the creative city and their relation to the city of Helsinki, 2) Describe the city branding process, 3) Evaluate the role of the Helsinki World Design Capital 2012 mega-event in Helsinki’s creative city brand building. First, the theory discusses the concept of the creative city that has gained growing attention during the past decade. Then, the city branding process is described and the benefits of hosting a mega-event are presented. Finally, co-branding a city and a mega-event in order to generate maximum benefit from the mega-event, is reviewed. This is a qualitative research for which data was collected through three face-to-face interviews, the World Design Capital 2012 bid, Helsinki’s economic development strategy, a consulting firm’s research report on the case city and web-pages. The research reveals that Helsinki has shown interest in the creative city discussion. The terminology around the concept is however approached carefully. Helsinki fits many of the creative city characteristics and recognizes its flaws for which improvement strategies have been planned. Bottlenecks keeping the city from promoting a more open mind were mainly revealed in its organizational structures. Helsinki has no official brand strategy; nonetheless pressure to develop one is present. The World Design Capital 2012 mega-event is seen as a meaningful stepping board to strengthen Helsinki’s identity and image, and start thinking about a city brand. The brand strategies of the mega-event support the values and virtues of the city itself, which enables benefits of co-branding introduces in the theory part. Helsinki has no official brand and doesn’t call itself a creative city, however this study shows signs of the city taking steps towards building a creative city brand with the help of the Helsinki World Design Capital 2012 mega-event.

Mobiilialan Start-up -yrityksen jakelukanavan valinta

Diplomityössä tutkitaan mobiilisovellusten keskitettyjä jakelukanavia Start-up – yritysten näkökulmasta. Työssä selvitetään, mitkä tekijät vaikuttavat Start-up – yrityksen jakelukanavan valintaan ja millä perusteilla valinta tehdään. Työn tuloksena saatiin 318 sovelluskehittäjän arvio kymmeneen valintakriteeriin. Merkittävin yksittäinen tekijä Start-up –yrityksille on laitekannan koko. Lisäksi Start-up –yritykset arvostavat muita enemmän sovellusten löydettävyyttä, odotettuja tulovirtoja ja omaa asiantuntemustansa. Mielipiteet Start-up –yritysten kesken jakaa kuitenkin valittu jakelukanava. Suurin yksittäinen päätöskriteeri on markkinatutkimus, yksin tai yhdessä media- ja lehdistötietojen kanssa.