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Intercultural Sensitivity as a Pathway to Students' Cultural Competence and Identity Formation in Virtual Exchanges
No full textAbstract
Virtual exchanges are increasingly used to expand access to international education. This study explored how Japanese students experienced intercultural learning and identity development within a virtual exchange programme conducted at a Finnish university. Using the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale as an analytical lens, qualitative data were drawn from semistructured interviews with programme participants to investigate how virtual, multicultural environments shape students’ intercultural sensitivity and identity formation. The findings revealed that challenges related to interaction engagement, attentiveness and confidence were exacerbated by language barriers, differing communication norms, and the limitations of online learning environments. These factors significantly influence students’ capacity for meaningful intercultural engagement and identity exploration.Abstract
Virtual exchanges are increasingly used to expand access to international education. This study explored how Japanese students experienced intercultural learning and identity development within a virtual exchange programme conducted at a Finnish university. Using the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale as an analytical lens, qualitative data were drawn from semistructured interviews with programme participants to investigate how virtual, multicultural environments shape students’ intercultural sensitivity and identity formation. The findings revealed that challenges related to interaction engagement, attentiveness and confidence were exacerbated by language barriers, differing communication norms, and the limitations of online learning environments. These factors significantly influence students’ capacity for meaningful intercultural engagement and identity exploration
Mineralogical Transformations of H2-DRI-EAF Slag by Carbonation Treatment Improves the Performance of the Slag as Supplementary Cementitious Material
No full textAbstract
Steel slag is an emerging supplementary cementitious material (SCM) that can reduce the carbon footprint of cement. This study reports the use of an electric arc furnace (EAF) slag from new steelmaking process i.e. direct hydrogen-assisted iron reduction (i.e., H2-DRI-EAF route) as an SCM. Further analysis was conducted to examine the effects of carbonation methods including semi-dry and aqueous carbonation on the hydration of slag in blended cements. The results indicate that the carbonation of the slag led to the formation of amorphous silica, crystalline and amorphous CaCO3 which contributed to the hydration reactions in blended cement. The pozzolanic activity and hydration behavior of carbonated slag were further assessed using R3 test and isothermal calorimetry while SEM–EDS, XRD, and TGA were used to analyze the phase transformations after carbonation. Between the two carbonation methods, the aqueous carbonation led to a higher CO2 uptake (9.5 g/100 g slag) and better reactivity. This is due to the formation of more reactive phases such as amorphous silica and calcium carbonates which linked to diverse hydration product formation such as C-(A)-S–H, AFt and hydrotalcite. The compressive strength showed an increase of 53 and 7% at 7 and 28 days of hydration in slag-blended samples compared to limestone-based blend. The findings reveal that the EAF slag from this novel steelmaking process is suitable for carbonation and utilization as SCM.Abstract
Steel slag is an emerging supplementary cementitious material (SCM) that can reduce the carbon footprint of cement. This study reports the use of an electric arc furnace (EAF) slag from new steelmaking process i.e. direct hydrogen-assisted iron reduction (i.e., H2-DRI-EAF route) as an SCM. Further analysis was conducted to examine the effects of carbonation methods including semi-dry and aqueous carbonation on the hydration of slag in blended cements. The results indicate that the carbonation of the slag led to the formation of amorphous silica, crystalline and amorphous CaCO3 which contributed to the hydration reactions in blended cement. The pozzolanic activity and hydration behavior of carbonated slag were further assessed using R3 test and isothermal calorimetry while SEM–EDS, XRD, and TGA were used to analyze the phase transformations after carbonation. Between the two carbonation methods, the aqueous carbonation led to a higher CO2 uptake (9.5 g/100 g slag) and better reactivity. This is due to the formation of more reactive phases such as amorphous silica and calcium carbonates which linked to diverse hydration product formation such as C-(A)-S–H, AFt and hydrotalcite. The compressive strength showed an increase of 53 and 7% at 7 and 28 days of hydration in slag-blended samples compared to limestone-based blend. The findings reveal that the EAF slag from this novel steelmaking process is suitable for carbonation and utilization as SCM
Laser welding of additively manufactured 316L stainless steel fabricated with different building orientations
No full textAbstract
This study investigates the effect of building orientation on mechanical behavior and microstructure evolution of laser-welded joints in additively manufactured 316L stainless steel. Sheets with a thickness of 2.5 mm were fabricated using laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB) technique at 0°, 45°, and 90° orientations, then laser welded in directions parallel, inclined at 45°, and perpendicular to the build layers, denoted as WJ0D, WJ45D, and WJ90D, respectively. Mechanical performance was evaluated through tensile testing and micro-indentation hardness measurements, while fracture morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Microstructural evolution was characterized using laser microscopy and extensive electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) analysis. The results revealed that the base metals exhibited predominantly austenitic microstructures regardless of the building orientation; however, strength and ductility varied significantly with printing orientation change. The welded joints displayed orientation-dependent differences in fusion zone (FZ) and heat-affected zone characteristics as well as hardness values. FZ widths of approximately 0.55, 0.50, and 0.40 mm were measured for WJ90D, WJ45D, and WJ0D, respectively, with corresponding hardness values of 180 ± 16, 197 ± 13, and 222 ± 9 HV. Tensile testing indicated that WJ0D achieved the highest joint efficiency of 99.7%. EBSD analysis revealed a high Σ3 twin boundary fraction of 27.9% in WJ0D, which correlated with its superior mechanical performance. Fractographic analysis through SEM confirmed ductile fracture behavior across all joints, as characterized by the presence of dimple features.Abstract
This study investigates the effect of building orientation on mechanical behavior and microstructure evolution of laser-welded joints in additively manufactured 316L stainless steel. Sheets with a thickness of 2.5 mm were fabricated using laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB) technique at 0°, 45°, and 90° orientations, then laser welded in directions parallel, inclined at 45°, and perpendicular to the build layers, denoted as WJ0D, WJ45D, and WJ90D, respectively. Mechanical performance was evaluated through tensile testing and micro-indentation hardness measurements, while fracture morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Microstructural evolution was characterized using laser microscopy and extensive electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) analysis. The results revealed that the base metals exhibited predominantly austenitic microstructures regardless of the building orientation; however, strength and ductility varied significantly with printing orientation change. The welded joints displayed orientation-dependent differences in fusion zone (FZ) and heat-affected zone characteristics as well as hardness values. FZ widths of approximately 0.55, 0.50, and 0.40 mm were measured for WJ90D, WJ45D, and WJ0D, respectively, with corresponding hardness values of 180 ± 16, 197 ± 13, and 222 ± 9 HV. Tensile testing indicated that WJ0D achieved the highest joint efficiency of 99.7%. EBSD analysis revealed a high Σ3 twin boundary fraction of 27.9% in WJ0D, which correlated with its superior mechanical performance. Fractographic analysis through SEM confirmed ductile fracture behavior across all joints, as characterized by the presence of dimple features
How Minimal Should a Minimal Ontological Realism Be? On Pedagogical Ontology
No full textAbstract
In this chapter I consider Andy’s views on ontological or metaphysical questions in semiotics and the philosophy of education in relation to my somewhat different. The most apparent difference is, of course, that Andy was much more minimalist than I have been, but I also remark some other details. Andy’s manuscript Minimal Ontological Realism as Pragmatist Foundation, and the Ethics of Responsibility, which is posthumously published in this volume, is an important source because in it, he developed and explicated his views more clearly than in many of his earlier texts. I agree with Andy that ontological realism is better kept minimal, especially in semiotics and philosophy of education because a less minimal view can easily be too restrictive both for theoretical and practical developments. However, there may be some limits which render minimalism too restrictive; and in addition, it may be that Andy’s commitment to process ontology is not so minimalist as one could hope.Abstract
In this chapter I consider Andy’s views on ontological or metaphysical questions in semiotics and the philosophy of education in relation to my somewhat different. The most apparent difference is, of course, that Andy was much more minimalist than I have been, but I also remark some other details. Andy’s manuscript Minimal Ontological Realism as Pragmatist Foundation, and the Ethics of Responsibility, which is posthumously published in this volume, is an important source because in it, he developed and explicated his views more clearly than in many of his earlier texts. I agree with Andy that ontological realism is better kept minimal, especially in semiotics and philosophy of education because a less minimal view can easily be too restrictive both for theoretical and practical developments. However, there may be some limits which render minimalism too restrictive; and in addition, it may be that Andy’s commitment to process ontology is not so minimalist as one could hope
From Optimism to Prioritization: A Comparative Study of First- and Final-Year Medical Students' Interest in Physician Leadership Roles
No full textAbstract
Purpose:
Physician involvement in healthcare leadership is essential for improving healthcare systems, yet medical students’ interest in future leadership roles is underexplored. This study aimed to examine first- and final-year medical students’ interest in leadership roles.
Methods:
In 2021, online questionnaires were distributed to both cohorts, yielding response rates of 94% (109/116) and 87% (95/109), respectively. A mixed-methods approach was employed to examine leadership interest. Free-text responses were first analyzed through inductive content analysis and subsequently, a quantification analysis was performed. Cohort comparisons were conducted to evaluate differences, and age and gender data were collected as background variables.
Results:
First-year students exhibited greater optimism, viewing leadership as a natural extension of their careers. Final-year students increasingly prioritized clinical roles, reflecting the influence of physicians’ identity formation and the demands of clinical practice. Final-year students exhibited lower levels of strong interest in leadership and higher levels of disinterest than first-year students. The quantified results aligned with these findings, as 38.5% of first-year students expressed strong interest, compared with 30.5% of final-year students. Conditional interest was higher among first-year students (30.3%) than among final-year students (24.2%), whereas disinterest was higher among final-year students (37.9%) than among first-year students (24.8%). Uncertainty regarding leadership roles was observed in both groups (6.4% of first-year and 7.4% of final-year students).
Conclusions:
Differences in leadership interest suggest that increasing clinical responsibilities and physicians’ identity formation may influence students’ interest in leadership roles. Integrating early and longitudinal leadership education into clinical practice—emphasizing its clinical relevance and alignment with physicians’ professional identity—may help sustain interest, support career-aligned leadership decisions, and better prepare future physician leaders.Abstract
Purpose:
Physician involvement in healthcare leadership is essential for improving healthcare systems, yet medical students’ interest in future leadership roles is underexplored. This study aimed to examine first- and final-year medical students’ interest in leadership roles.
Methods:
In 2021, online questionnaires were distributed to both cohorts, yielding response rates of 94% (109/116) and 87% (95/109), respectively. A mixed-methods approach was employed to examine leadership interest. Free-text responses were first analyzed through inductive content analysis and subsequently, a quantification analysis was performed. Cohort comparisons were conducted to evaluate differences, and age and gender data were collected as background variables.
Results:
First-year students exhibited greater optimism, viewing leadership as a natural extension of their careers. Final-year students increasingly prioritized clinical roles, reflecting the influence of physicians’ identity formation and the demands of clinical practice. Final-year students exhibited lower levels of strong interest in leadership and higher levels of disinterest than first-year students. The quantified results aligned with these findings, as 38.5% of first-year students expressed strong interest, compared with 30.5% of final-year students. Conditional interest was higher among first-year students (30.3%) than among final-year students (24.2%), whereas disinterest was higher among final-year students (37.9%) than among first-year students (24.8%). Uncertainty regarding leadership roles was observed in both groups (6.4% of first-year and 7.4% of final-year students).
Conclusions:
Differences in leadership interest suggest that increasing clinical responsibilities and physicians’ identity formation may influence students’ interest in leadership roles. Integrating early and longitudinal leadership education into clinical practice—emphasizing its clinical relevance and alignment with physicians’ professional identity—may help sustain interest, support career-aligned leadership decisions, and better prepare future physician leaders
Selkosten Proust taipuu moneen − Iijoki-korpus ja digitaalisen tekstinlouhinnan mahdollisuudet
No full textPrenatal maternal depression and child behavioural and developmental outcomes: an individual participant data meta-analysis in 76,514 children from the EU Child Cohort Network
No full textSummary
Background:
Prenatal maternal depression affects an estimated one in five women, with implications not only for the mother but also for the child, associating negatively with offspring mental health and cognition. This study aimed to investigate multiple outcomes within the same set of participants from multiple cohorts, explore sex-specific differences in associations, and examine of the role of timing of maternal depression.
Methods:
We performed large-scale individual participant data analyses with a sample size of up to 76,514 participants to investigate prospective associations between prenatal maternal depression and eight offspring behavioural and developmental outcomes, leveraging harmonised data from seven European birth cohorts. Cohort-specific estimates were combined using random-effects meta-analysis. Potential sex differences and the role of pre-pregnancy and postnatal depression in the associations were examined.
Findings:
Prenatal maternal depression was associated with higher internalising, externalising, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorder symptoms (6.61–10.90 increased percentile scores). Associations were similar between males and females, largely independent of pre-pregnancy depression, and partially mediated by postnatal maternal depression. Continuous prenatal depressive symptoms were associated with all eight offspring outcomes.
Interpretation:
These findings emphasise the importance of prenatal maternal depression as a key developmental risk factor. Future work should consider how best to support mental health during pregnancy and children exposed to prenatal depression. Our results contribute to the growing evidence underscoring the need for early intervention and tailored support for those experiencing depression during pregnancy.
Funding:
HappyMums Project, funded by the European Union (Grant Agreement n.101057390).Summary
Background:
Prenatal maternal depression affects an estimated one in five women, with implications not only for the mother but also for the child, associating negatively with offspring mental health and cognition. This study aimed to investigate multiple outcomes within the same set of participants from multiple cohorts, explore sex-specific differences in associations, and examine of the role of timing of maternal depression.
Methods:
We performed large-scale individual participant data analyses with a sample size of up to 76,514 participants to investigate prospective associations between prenatal maternal depression and eight offspring behavioural and developmental outcomes, leveraging harmonised data from seven European birth cohorts. Cohort-specific estimates were combined using random-effects meta-analysis. Potential sex differences and the role of pre-pregnancy and postnatal depression in the associations were examined.
Findings:
Prenatal maternal depression was associated with higher internalising, externalising, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorder symptoms (6.61–10.90 increased percentile scores). Associations were similar between males and females, largely independent of pre-pregnancy depression, and partially mediated by postnatal maternal depression. Continuous prenatal depressive symptoms were associated with all eight offspring outcomes.
Interpretation:
These findings emphasise the importance of prenatal maternal depression as a key developmental risk factor. Future work should consider how best to support mental health during pregnancy and children exposed to prenatal depression. Our results contribute to the growing evidence underscoring the need for early intervention and tailored support for those experiencing depression during pregnancy.
Funding:
HappyMums Project, funded by the European Union (Grant Agreement n.101057390)
Pohjois-Kuusamon kylien maankäytön kehityskuva : kuntasuunnittelun kurssi ja yhdyskuntasuunnittelun erikoiskurssi 2025
No full textJohdanto
Helka-Liisa Hentilä ja Aale Luusua
Yhdyskuntien suunnittelussa päähuomio on ollut kaupunkiympäristöjen suunnittelussa, vaikka maaseutu kattaa laajan osan Suomesta ja siellä tapahtuvat maankäyttöön kohdistuvat muutokset vaikuttavat laajasti sekä paikallisesti että kansallisesti. Maaseutuvaltaisten ja harvaan asuttujen alueiden elinvoima on monin paikoin ollut koetuksella väestön ikääntymisen ja poismuuton sekä palveluverkon harventumisen takia. Maaseutu kylineen tarjoaa kuitenkin monia uusia mahdollisuuksia elinvoiman kehittämiseen. Näiden alueiden tuleva kehitys onkin avainasemassa alueellisesti tasapainoisen sosiaalisen ja kulttuurisen kestävyyden sekä maamme omavaraisuuden, huoltovarmuuden ja kokonaisturvallisuuden näkökulmasta.
Maaseutu sisältää erilaisia kulttuurihistoriallisia arvoja, perinteistä rakennuskantaa ja kulttuurimaisemia. Maankäytön suunnittelu auttaa säilyttämään nämä arvot, jolloin nykyisten asukkaiden ja matkailijoiden ohella myös tulevat sukupolvet voivat nauttia niistä.
Maailman pohjoisimman arkkitehtikoulun eli Oulun yliopiston arkkitehtuurin yksikön opetuksessa käsitellään säännöllisesti ja tehdään yhteistyötä Pohjois- tai Itä-Suomessa sijaitsevien kuntien maankäytön suunnitteluun liittyen. Opiskelijaprojektien kohdealueet kattavat vuosittain kaupunkimaisten ympäristöjen ohella myös maaseutuvaltaisia alueita kylineen, kirkonkylineen ja maaseututaajamineen. Niiden maankäytön suunnittelun haasteet valottavat pohjoisen toimintaympäristön muutosta esimerkiksi väestökehityksen, digitalisaation, oikeudenmukaisen siirtymän, energiamurroksen ja matkailun näkökulmista. Haasteiden lisäksi kohdealueen lähtökohtia ovat alueelliset olosuhteet ja erityispiirteet. Sekä toimintaympäristöä muokkaavien muutosilmiöiden että kohdealueiden ominaispiirteiden, lähtökohtien ja tarpeiden tunnistaminen on oleellista, jotta voidaan kehittää kestäviä suunnitteluratkaisuja. Pohjois-Kuusamossa sijaitsevat Juuman, Käylän, Virkkulan, Tahkolanrannan, Oivangin ja Nissinvaaran kylät lähiympäristöineen tarjosi tuleville suunnittelijoille hyvän mahdollisuuden tarkastella ajankohtaisia maankäytön suunnitteluhaasteita, kylien ominaispiirteitä ja lähtökohtia sekä tilaisuuden ideoida erilaisia mahdollisuuksia, joita kyläalueilla on elinvoimansa, asukkaidensa hyvinvoinnin sekä matkailun kehittämiseen.
Aihetta ryhtyi syyslukukaudella 2025 työstämään ryhmä Oulun yliopiston maisterivaiheen opiskelijoita, 13 tulevaa arkkitehtia ja yksi maantieteen opiskelijaa. Pohjois-Kuusamon kylien tutkiminen ja maankäytön kehityskuvan laatiminen kytkettiin kahteen Oulun yliopiston arkkitehtuurin yksikön maisterivaiheen syventävään opintojaksoon, Kuntasuunnittelun kurssiin (15 op) ja Yhdyskuntasuunnittelun erikoiskurssiin (5–10 op). Tavoitteena oli tuottaa erilaisia perus- ja erillisselvityksiä sekä uusia ideoita kylien ja niiden lähialueiden maankäytöstä Kuusamon oman maankäytön pohjaksi ja virikkeeksi. Tämä raportti kokoaa yhteen tehdyt selvitykset sekä esittelee suunnitteluvaihtoehtojen ja niiden vaikutusarviointien kautta syntyneen Pohjois-Kuusamon kylien maankäytön kehityskuvan 2040.
Yhteistyö juontaa juurensa Kuusamon kaupungin ja Oulun yliopiston väliseen strategiseen yhteistyösopimukseen, jonka siivittämänä löytyi tarve Pohjois-Kuusamon kylien maankäyttöä koskevaan yhteistyöhön. Lämpimät kiitokset sujuvasta yhteistyöstä ja monenlaisesta avusta kaupunginjohtaja Jouko Manninen, kehitysjohtaja Jari Karsikko, kaavoittaja Pekka Räsänen, kaavoitusarkkitehti Laura Häkkänen sekä rahoitusasiantuntija Berit Lahtela Kylien Kuusamo-hankkeesta. Työtä kommentoi sen eri vaiheissa seurantaryhmä, jonka jäsenille lämmin kiitos osuvasta ja rakentavasta työtä kehittäneestä palautteesta. Kiitos myös mahdollisuudesta esitellä lopputuotos Kuusamon kaupungin kaupunginhallitukselle ja kaupunginvaltuustolle.Johdanto
Helka-Liisa Hentilä ja Aale Luusua
Yhdyskuntien suunnittelussa päähuomio on ollut kaupunkiympäristöjen suunnittelussa, vaikka maaseutu kattaa laajan osan Suomesta ja siellä tapahtuvat maankäyttöön kohdistuvat muutokset vaikuttavat laajasti sekä paikallisesti että kansallisesti. Maaseutuvaltaisten ja harvaan asuttujen alueiden elinvoima on monin paikoin ollut koetuksella väestön ikääntymisen ja poismuuton sekä palveluverkon harventumisen takia. Maaseutu kylineen tarjoaa kuitenkin monia uusia mahdollisuuksia elinvoiman kehittämiseen. Näiden alueiden tuleva kehitys onkin avainasemassa alueellisesti tasapainoisen sosiaalisen ja kulttuurisen kestävyyden sekä maamme omavaraisuuden, huoltovarmuuden ja kokonaisturvallisuuden näkökulmasta.
Maaseutu sisältää erilaisia kulttuurihistoriallisia arvoja, perinteistä rakennuskantaa ja kulttuurimaisemia. Maankäytön suunnittelu auttaa säilyttämään nämä arvot, jolloin nykyisten asukkaiden ja matkailijoiden ohella myös tulevat sukupolvet voivat nauttia niistä.
Maailman pohjoisimman arkkitehtikoulun eli Oulun yliopiston arkkitehtuurin yksikön opetuksessa käsitellään säännöllisesti ja tehdään yhteistyötä Pohjois- tai Itä-Suomessa sijaitsevien kuntien maankäytön suunnitteluun liittyen. Opiskelijaprojektien kohdealueet kattavat vuosittain kaupunkimaisten ympäristöjen ohella myös maaseutuvaltaisia alueita kylineen, kirkonkylineen ja maaseututaajamineen. Niiden maankäytön suunnittelun haasteet valottavat pohjoisen toimintaympäristön muutosta esimerkiksi väestökehityksen, digitalisaation, oikeudenmukaisen siirtymän, energiamurroksen ja matkailun näkökulmista. Haasteiden lisäksi kohdealueen lähtökohtia ovat alueelliset olosuhteet ja erityispiirteet. Sekä toimintaympäristöä muokkaavien muutosilmiöiden että kohdealueiden ominaispiirteiden, lähtökohtien ja tarpeiden tunnistaminen on oleellista, jotta voidaan kehittää kestäviä suunnitteluratkaisuja. Pohjois-Kuusamossa sijaitsevat Juuman, Käylän, Virkkulan, Tahkolanrannan, Oivangin ja Nissinvaaran kylät lähiympäristöineen tarjosi tuleville suunnittelijoille hyvän mahdollisuuden tarkastella ajankohtaisia maankäytön suunnitteluhaasteita, kylien ominaispiirteitä ja lähtökohtia sekä tilaisuuden ideoida erilaisia mahdollisuuksia, joita kyläalueilla on elinvoimansa, asukkaidensa hyvinvoinnin sekä matkailun kehittämiseen.
Aihetta ryhtyi syyslukukaudella 2025 työstämään ryhmä Oulun yliopiston maisterivaiheen opiskelijoita, 13 tulevaa arkkitehtia ja yksi maantieteen opiskelijaa. Pohjois-Kuusamon kylien tutkiminen ja maankäytön kehityskuvan laatiminen kytkettiin kahteen Oulun yliopiston arkkitehtuurin yksikön maisterivaiheen syventävään opintojaksoon, Kuntasuunnittelun kurssiin (15 op) ja Yhdyskuntasuunnittelun erikoiskurssiin (5–10 op). Tavoitteena oli tuottaa erilaisia perus- ja erillisselvityksiä sekä uusia ideoita kylien ja niiden lähialueiden maankäytöstä Kuusamon oman maankäytön pohjaksi ja virikkeeksi. Tämä raportti kokoaa yhteen tehdyt selvitykset sekä esittelee suunnitteluvaihtoehtojen ja niiden vaikutusarviointien kautta syntyneen Pohjois-Kuusamon kylien maankäytön kehityskuvan 2040.
Yhteistyö juontaa juurensa Kuusamon kaupungin ja Oulun yliopiston väliseen strategiseen yhteistyösopimukseen, jonka siivittämänä löytyi tarve Pohjois-Kuusamon kylien maankäyttöä koskevaan yhteistyöhön. Lämpimät kiitokset sujuvasta yhteistyöstä ja monenlaisesta avusta kaupunginjohtaja Jouko Manninen, kehitysjohtaja Jari Karsikko, kaavoittaja Pekka Räsänen, kaavoitusarkkitehti Laura Häkkänen sekä rahoitusasiantuntija Berit Lahtela Kylien Kuusamo-hankkeesta. Työtä kommentoi sen eri vaiheissa seurantaryhmä, jonka jäsenille lämmin kiitos osuvasta ja rakentavasta työtä kehittäneestä palautteesta. Kiitos myös mahdollisuudesta esitellä lopputuotos Kuusamon kaupungin kaupunginhallitukselle ja kaupunginvaltuustolle
Reduced inter-subject functional connectivity during movies in autism: replicability across cross-national fMRI datasets
No full textAbstract
Background:
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by repetitive behaviors and difficulties in social communication and interaction. Previous research has shown that these symptoms are linked to idiosyncratic behavioral and brain activity patterns while viewing natural social events in movies. This study aimed to investigate the replicability of brain activity idiosyncrasy in adult autistic individuals by comparing their inter-subject functional connectivity (ISFC) with that of neurotypical individuals.
Methods:
We tested for ISFC differences between adult autistic and neurotypical groups using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from two independent datasets from Germany (Nneurotypical = 25, 7 Males, 18 Females; Nautism = 22, 12 Males, 10 Females) and Finland (Nneurotypical = 19, Nautism = 18; All males). Participants watched short movie stimuli, and pairwise ISFCs were computed across 273 brain regions. Group differences were evaluated using subject-wise permutation tests for each dataset.
Results:
In both datasets, the autistic group showed lower ISFCs compared to the neurotypical group, specifically between visual regions (e.g., occipital gyrus, cuneus) and parietal regions (e.g., superior and inferior parietal lobules), as well as between visual regions and frontal regions (e.g., inferior frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus). ISFC was higher in the Finnish autistic group in temporal regions associated with sound and speech processing.
Limitations:
Larger multi-site datasets using diverse analysis pipelines are needed to evaluate the robustness and replicability of current findings. They are also essential for evaluating the reliability of the subject-wise permutation method without explicit correction for multiple comparisons.
Conclusions:
The study confirmed the replicability of reduced ISFCs in adult autistic individuals during naturalistic movie-watching, especially between visual and parietal/frontal brain regions. These findings reinforce the utility of ISFC and naturalistic movie-watching paradigm in studying neural connectivity alterations in autism.Abstract
Background:
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by repetitive behaviors and difficulties in social communication and interaction. Previous research has shown that these symptoms are linked to idiosyncratic behavioral and brain activity patterns while viewing natural social events in movies. This study aimed to investigate the replicability of brain activity idiosyncrasy in adult autistic individuals by comparing their inter-subject functional connectivity (ISFC) with that of neurotypical individuals.
Methods:
We tested for ISFC differences between adult autistic and neurotypical groups using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from two independent datasets from Germany (Nneurotypical = 25, 7 Males, 18 Females; Nautism = 22, 12 Males, 10 Females) and Finland (Nneurotypical = 19, Nautism = 18; All males). Participants watched short movie stimuli, and pairwise ISFCs were computed across 273 brain regions. Group differences were evaluated using subject-wise permutation tests for each dataset.
Results:
In both datasets, the autistic group showed lower ISFCs compared to the neurotypical group, specifically between visual regions (e.g., occipital gyrus, cuneus) and parietal regions (e.g., superior and inferior parietal lobules), as well as between visual regions and frontal regions (e.g., inferior frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus). ISFC was higher in the Finnish autistic group in temporal regions associated with sound and speech processing.
Limitations:
Larger multi-site datasets using diverse analysis pipelines are needed to evaluate the robustness and replicability of current findings. They are also essential for evaluating the reliability of the subject-wise permutation method without explicit correction for multiple comparisons.
Conclusions:
The study confirmed the replicability of reduced ISFCs in adult autistic individuals during naturalistic movie-watching, especially between visual and parietal/frontal brain regions. These findings reinforce the utility of ISFC and naturalistic movie-watching paradigm in studying neural connectivity alterations in autism
Siirtymä tuotetiedonhallinnasta (PDM) tuotteen elinkaaren hallintaan (PLM)
No full textThis master’s thesis examines the transition from Product Data Management (PDM) toward Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) in a large industrial organization. As product complexity increases, many organizations seek to extend engineering-centric PDM practices toward lifecycle-wide PLM yet face significant challenges.
The objective of the study is to analyze the current state of a PDM environment and to identify the organizational, architectural, and governance-related changes required to enable a successful transition from PDM to PLM. The study is conducted as a qualitative case study based on semi-structured interviews, complemented by internal company documentation.
The findings show that the organization has established a mature PDM foundation that effectively supports engineering activities. However, the environment remains strongly engineering-centric. Lifecycle responsibility becomes fragmented after engineering release, and downstream phases rely mainly on transactional handovers rather than continuous lifecycle integration. Extensive system customization, parallel tools, inconsistent data models, and weak lifecycle-wide governance further constrain PLM adoption.
The study concludes that successful PLM adoption requires leadership-driven organizational transformation supported by architectural simplification and harmonized data governance, rather than isolated system-level implementations. The study’s findings are particularly relevant for managers and decision-makers responsible for product data management and digital transformation in complex industrial environments.Tässä diplomityössä tarkastellaan siirtymää tuotetiedonhallinnasta (PDM) kohti tuotteen elinkaaren laajempaa hallintaa (PLM) suuressa teollisuusorganisaatiossa. Tuotteiden monimutkaistuessa yritykset pyrkivät laajentamaan suunnittelukeskeisiä PDM-käytäntöjä koko elinkaaren kattaviksi, mutta kohtaavat tässä merkittäviä haasteita.
Työn tavoitteena on analysoida yrityksen nykyinen PDM-ympäristö sekä tunnistaa ne organisatoriset, arkkitehtuuriset ja hallinnolliset muutokset, joita onnistunut siirtymä PDM:stä PLM:ään edellyttää. Tutkimus toteutettiin kvalitatiivisena tapaustutkimuksena, jossa empiirinen aineisto kerättiin puolistrukturoitujen haastattelujen avulla ja täydennettiin yrityksen sisäisellä dokumentaatiolla.
Tulokset osoittavat, että yrityksellä on vakiintunut PDM-perusta, joka tukee tehokkaasti insinööritoimintaa. Järjestelmäkokonaisuus on kuitenkin vahvasti suunnittelukeskeinen. Vastuu tuotetiedosta pirstaloituu suunnitteluvaiheen jälkeen, ja elinkaaren myöhemmät vaiheet tukeutuvat pääosin transaktionaalisiin tiedonsiirtoihin jatkuvan elinkaaren hallinnan sijaan. Lisäksi laaja räätälöinti, rinnakkaiset työkalut, epäyhtenäiset tietomallit ja puutteellinen elinkaaren laajuinen hallintamalli rajoittavat PLM:n käyttöönottoa.
Johtopäätöksenä todetaan, että onnistunut PLM-siirtymä edellyttää johdon ohjaamaa organisatorista muutosta, jota tukevat järjestelmäarkkitehtuurin selkeyttäminen ja yhtenäinen tiedonhallinta, yksittäisten järjestelmätason toteutusten sijaan. Tulokset ovat erityisen relevantteja tuotetiedonhallinnasta ja digitaalisesta kehityksestä vastaaville päättäjille monimutkaisissa teollisissa toimintaympäristöissä