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Effect of a Universal Mindfulness Program on Well-Being in Adolescents: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
No full textAbstract
Mental health disorders often emerge during adolescence. Mindfulness interventions may support adolescents’ well-being. However, the evidence supporting the effectiveness of universal mindfulness interventions for adolescents’ well-being is limited and hampered by methodological weaknesses. The present study is the first large-scale randomized controlled trial with active and inactive control groups to examine the effectiveness of a 9-week universal mindfulness intervention on the well-being of adolescents, moderated by gender, age, and independent practice. A total of 3519 Finnish adolescents aged 12–15 were randomly assigned to intervention, active, and inactive control groups. Well-being was indicated by life satisfaction (assessed with OECD life satisfaction and SWLC-C life satisfaction) and positive and negative affect (assessed with PANAS) at baseline, 9 weeks, and 26 weeks. Analyses were conducted with linear mixed models. A significant increase in life satisfaction (SWLS-C) was observed at 9 weeks in the mindfulness intervention group (β = 0.38, 95% CI 0.08–0.68, p = 0.009) compared to the active control group. Independent practice was found to moderate the effects in positive affect at 26 weeks; those who practiced more had increases in positive affect. Universal mindfulness intervention shows some promise in improving the well-being of adolescents, although it did not affect all well-being outcomes.
Trial Registration: Healthy Learning Mind—a school- based mindfulness and relaxation program: a study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) ISRCTN18642659 retrospectively registered on 13 October 2015. The full trial protocol can be accessed at http://rdcu.be/t57S.Abstract
Mental health disorders often emerge during adolescence. Mindfulness interventions may support adolescents’ well-being. However, the evidence supporting the effectiveness of universal mindfulness interventions for adolescents’ well-being is limited and hampered by methodological weaknesses. The present study is the first large-scale randomized controlled trial with active and inactive control groups to examine the effectiveness of a 9-week universal mindfulness intervention on the well-being of adolescents, moderated by gender, age, and independent practice. A total of 3519 Finnish adolescents aged 12–15 were randomly assigned to intervention, active, and inactive control groups. Well-being was indicated by life satisfaction (assessed with OECD life satisfaction and SWLC-C life satisfaction) and positive and negative affect (assessed with PANAS) at baseline, 9 weeks, and 26 weeks. Analyses were conducted with linear mixed models. A significant increase in life satisfaction (SWLS-C) was observed at 9 weeks in the mindfulness intervention group (β = 0.38, 95% CI 0.08–0.68, p = 0.009) compared to the active control group. Independent practice was found to moderate the effects in positive affect at 26 weeks; those who practiced more had increases in positive affect. Universal mindfulness intervention shows some promise in improving the well-being of adolescents, although it did not affect all well-being outcomes.
Trial Registration: Healthy Learning Mind—a school- based mindfulness and relaxation program: a study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) ISRCTN18642659 retrospectively registered on 13 October 2015. The full trial protocol can be accessed at http://rdcu.be/t57S
Computed tomography and 3D visualization in forensic shooting distance estimation - A ballistic gelatine pilot study
No full textAbstract
Accurate estimation of shooting distance is one of the main aspects in forensic gunshot case reconstruction. Reliable methods to estimate shooting distance are thus important for forensic practitioners. In this pilot study we test how computed tomography (CT) based evaluation of bullet cavitation could potentially be utilized to differentiate shooting distance.
To conduct our study, we utilized ballistic gelatine blocks as a soft tissue simulant. Test shooting was performed from two distances, 20 and 100 m. Four expanding monolithic bullets were used all in 0.30 caliber (Barnes TTSX, Sako Blade, Norma Ecostrike, Lapua Naturalis). The gelatine blocks were CT-scanned after the experiment. The scans were processed and segmented using an open-source 3D Slicer software to provide a 3D reconstruction of the cavitation and obtain numerical cavitation parameters (total volume and surface area of cavitation; maximum crack diameter; location of maximum cavitation).
Our results indicated that all four bullets had distinct terminal ballistic performance. This could be detected from the bullet parameters such as maximum diameter and also from the pattern of cavitation. Shooting distance had a consistent, measurable association with bullet diameter and surface area of the gelatine cavity in all four bullets. Our preliminary pilot study underscores the potential of CT in the comprehensive analysis of gelatine cavitation in terminal ballistics. Our results suggest that it would be essential to know exact bullet type when shooting distance is estimated from terminal ballistic findings.Abstract
Accurate estimation of shooting distance is one of the main aspects in forensic gunshot case reconstruction. Reliable methods to estimate shooting distance are thus important for forensic practitioners. In this pilot study we test how computed tomography (CT) based evaluation of bullet cavitation could potentially be utilized to differentiate shooting distance.
To conduct our study, we utilized ballistic gelatine blocks as a soft tissue simulant. Test shooting was performed from two distances, 20 and 100 m. Four expanding monolithic bullets were used all in 0.30 caliber (Barnes TTSX, Sako Blade, Norma Ecostrike, Lapua Naturalis). The gelatine blocks were CT-scanned after the experiment. The scans were processed and segmented using an open-source 3D Slicer software to provide a 3D reconstruction of the cavitation and obtain numerical cavitation parameters (total volume and surface area of cavitation; maximum crack diameter; location of maximum cavitation).
Our results indicated that all four bullets had distinct terminal ballistic performance. This could be detected from the bullet parameters such as maximum diameter and also from the pattern of cavitation. Shooting distance had a consistent, measurable association with bullet diameter and surface area of the gelatine cavity in all four bullets. Our preliminary pilot study underscores the potential of CT in the comprehensive analysis of gelatine cavitation in terminal ballistics. Our results suggest that it would be essential to know exact bullet type when shooting distance is estimated from terminal ballistic findings
"The constraint Is kind of in our own minds" : accessibility discourses activated in the publishing industry
No full textTässä kandidaatintutkielmassa tutkitaan oppimateriaalikustantamoissa aktivoituvia saavutettavuusdiskursseja. Tutkimusmetodeina yhdistyvät sisällönanalyysi ja kriittinen diskurssianalyysi. Aineistossa aktivoituvat kaksi päädiskurssia eli saavutettavuuden haasteet ja saavutettavuuden arvostus. Molemmilla on hyvin lähellä toisiaan olevia aladiskursseja. Saavutettavuuden haasteiden aladiskurssit ovat saavutettavuus aiheuttaa hämmennystä, saavutettavuusasioissa jää yksin, saavutettavuus teettää paljon töitä ja saavutettavuus aiheuttaa ongelmia. Saavutettavuuden arvostuksen aladiskurssit ovat saavutettavuudesta on hyötyä kaikille ja kustantamoissa kognitiivinen saavutettavuus on tärkeää.
Diskursseissa kritiikki kohdistuu saavutettavuuslain täytäntöönpanoon ja annettuihin resursseihin sekä riittävän ohjeistuksen ja tuen puutteeseen. Lisäksi kritisoidaan sitä, että saavutettavuusasiat vievät paljon aikaa. Toisaalta saavutettavuutta periaatteena tunnutaan arvostavan. Vastaajat toteavat panostavan siihen itse, ja myös moniääninen puhe viittaa samanlaiseen panostukseen yleisesti alalla. Lisäksi saavutettavuudesta nähdään olevan hyötyä kaikille. Erityisesti kognitiivinen saavutettavuus nähdään tärkeänä ja siihen panostetaan. Lisäksi suhtautumisen saavutettavuuteen nähdään muuttuneen myönteisemmäksi. Enää ei keskitytä rajoitteista valittamiseen vaan kehitetään uusia saavutettavia ratkaisuja
Young adults’ experiences of the link between parental education, school motivation, and educational trajectories
No full textTässä Pro gradu -tutkielmassa tarkastellaan, miten nuorten aikuisten lapsuudenkodin sosioekonominen tausta, erityisesti vanhempien koulutustaso, on vaikuttanut heidän koulumotivaatioonsa ja koulutuspolkuihinsa. Tutkimus nojaa Ecclesin ja Wigfieldin odotusarvoteoriaan (SEVT), joka selittää motivaatiota psykologisten tekijöiden, kuten minäpystyvyyden ja tehtävän arvon, sekä sosiokulttuuristen tekijöiden, kuten vanhempien odotusten ja palautteen kautta.
Aiempi tutkimus osoittaa, että sosioekonominen tausta vaikuttaa koulumenestykseen, koulutusvalintoihin ja oppilaiden käsityksiin omista kyvyistään. Korkeammin koulutettujen vanhempien lapset saavat usein enemmän tukea ja kannustusta, sekä kerryttävät koulutuksellista pääomaa, kun taas matalammin koulutettujen perheiden lapsilla voi olla heikompi käsitys itsestään oppijana ja vähemmän koulutukseen liittyviä resursseja.
Tutkimus toteutettiin laadullisena fenomenologisena tutkimuksena. Aineisto kerättiin haastattelemalla seitsemää 20–30-vuotiasta nuorta aikuista, joiden vanhempien koulutustaustat vaihtelivat. Aineisto analysoitiin Amedeo Giorgin fenomenologisen menetelmän avulla, jota täydennettiin Perttulan menetelmän avulla vastaamaan juuri tämän tutkielman tarpeita.
Tulokset osoittavat, että koulumotivaatio muodostuu onnistumisista, odotuksista, sekä opettajien, vanhempien ja ystävien antamasta tuesta ja jaetuista asenteista. Murrosiässä motivaatio voi heikentyä, mutta sen kehitykseen vaikuttavat vahvasti kodin asenteet ja tuki. Myös nuoren ystäväpiiri vaikuttaa murrosiässä koettuun motivaation laskuun. Korkeammin koulutettujen vanhempien lapset kuvasivat saaneensa enemmän konkreettista ja henkistä tukea, kuten apua läksyihin, keskustelua opinnoista ja kannustusta jatko-opintoihin. Matalammin koulutettujen vanhempien lapset saivat vähemmän ohjausta, eikä koulutusvalintoihin juuri puututtu. Vanhempien odotukset ja arvostukset heijastuivat nuorten koulutuspolkuihin, esimerkiksi korkea koulutus nähtiin joissain perheissä itsestäänselvyytenä.
Koulumotivaatio ei synny tyhjiössä, vaan rakentuu yksilön ja ympäristön vuorovaikutuksessa. Vanhempien koulutustaso vaikuttaa sekä suoraan että välillisesti nuorten käsityksiin omista kyvyistään, koulutuksen arvosta ja mahdollisuuksista tulevaisuuden suhteen. Koulutuksellisen tasa-arvon edistäminen vaatii edelleen huomiota
”Mä haluun puhuu paremmin suomea mä tiedän se on tärkeä” : diskurssianalyysi hoiva-alalla työskentelevien maahanmuuttajien motivaatiosta suomen kielen oppimiseen
No full text
Warehouse management development : Power Finland Oy
No full textDiplomityössä tutkittiin Power Finland Oy:n vähittäiskaupan varastonhallinnan kehittämistä. Tutkimuskohteena oli Power Jyväskylän myymälän varasto. Tavoitteena oli tunnistaa varastoprosessien isoimmat haasteet ja löytää keinoja toiminnan parantamiseen. Tärkeimmiksi ongelmiksi havaittiin varastotilojen epäjärjestys, hitaat hyllytysprosessit, rajalliset resurssit ja saldotarkkuuden heikkous.
Tutkimus toteutettiin tapaustutkimuksena. Tutkimusmenetelmänä käytettiin henkilöstön haastatteluja ja diplomityön tekijän havaintoja. Haastattelujen ja diplomityön tekijän havaintojen avulla kartoitettiin varaston nykytilaa ja kehityskohteita.
Tulosten perusteella on tärkeää parantaa varastotilojen selkeyttä, standardoida työskentelyrutiinit ja huolehtia henkilöstön motivoinnista muutoksen aikana. Lean-menetelmien hyödyntäminen nousi tärkeäksi ratkaisuksi. Näiden menetelmien avulla varastosta tulee siistimpi ja systemaattisempi. Lean-menetelmät vähentävät hukkaa ja virheitä. Standardoitujen rutiinien avulla hyllytystä voidaan parantaa. Silloin tuotteet löytyvät helpommin ja päätyvät myyntiin ajallaan. Muutosjohtaminen auttaa työntekijöitä sitoutumaan uusiin toimintamalleihin.
Tuloksia voidaan käyttää Power Finland Oy:n varastoprosessien kehittämiseen. Tuloksia voidaan soveltaa muissakin vähittäiskaupan yrityksissä. Lean-menetelmien ja muutosjohtamisen avulla on potentiaalia parantaa varastonhallintaa
Composition-properties-performance relationships of alkali-activated materials and geopolymers over extended silicon-aluminum-sodium-calcium ratios in adsorption applications
No full textAbstract
Composition of alkali-activated materials (AAMs) and geopolymers affects their material properties and performance in adsorption applications, yet their correlations remain largely unexplored. In this study, AAMs/geopolymers were synthesized by systematically varying their compositions in the ranges Si1Al1Na1–Si20Al1Na1 (i.e., Ca-free geopolymers) and Si1Al1Na1Ca2–Si20Al1Na1Ca21 (i.e., Ca-containing AAMs). The material properties (e.g., connectedness of the aluminosilicate structure, specific surface area, pore volume, average pore size and zeta potential) of AAMs/geopolymers were correlated with adsorption performance for cations with different aqueous radii: methylene blue (MB), rhodamine 6G (R6G), and ammonium (NH4+). In the Ca-free geopolymers, the adsorption of MB and R6G increased with increasing the Si/Al molar ratio and strongly correlated with specific surface area, whereas NH4+ adsorption showed an opposite trend, correlating positively with the Al/Si ratio and zeta potential but negatively with specific surface area. Adding Ca to the systems caused the adsorption amounts for MB, R6G, and NH4+ reaching a minimum at Si5Al1Na1Ca6 composition while lower or higher Ca content increased adsorption. The results of this study could be a valuable reference for tailoring the future AAM/geopolymer compositions over wide Si:Al:Na:Ca ratios to obtain specific material properties in high-end applications, such as wastewater treatment.Abstract
Composition of alkali-activated materials (AAMs) and geopolymers affects their material properties and performance in adsorption applications, yet their correlations remain largely unexplored. In this study, AAMs/geopolymers were synthesized by systematically varying their compositions in the ranges Si1Al1Na1–Si20Al1Na1 (i.e., Ca-free geopolymers) and Si1Al1Na1Ca2–Si20Al1Na1Ca21 (i.e., Ca-containing AAMs). The material properties (e.g., connectedness of the aluminosilicate structure, specific surface area, pore volume, average pore size and zeta potential) of AAMs/geopolymers were correlated with adsorption performance for cations with different aqueous radii: methylene blue (MB), rhodamine 6G (R6G), and ammonium (NH4+). In the Ca-free geopolymers, the adsorption of MB and R6G increased with increasing the Si/Al molar ratio and strongly correlated with specific surface area, whereas NH4+ adsorption showed an opposite trend, correlating positively with the Al/Si ratio and zeta potential but negatively with specific surface area. Adding Ca to the systems caused the adsorption amounts for MB, R6G, and NH4+ reaching a minimum at Si5Al1Na1Ca6 composition while lower or higher Ca content increased adsorption. The results of this study could be a valuable reference for tailoring the future AAM/geopolymer compositions over wide Si:Al:Na:Ca ratios to obtain specific material properties in high-end applications, such as wastewater treatment
A digital twin for real-time biodiversity forecasting with citizen science data
No full textAbstract
Citizen science provides large amounts of biodiversity data. Key challenges in unlocking its full potential include engaging citizens with limited species identification skills and accelerating the transition from data collection to research and monitoring outputs. Here we use a large dataset from Finland to show how even citizens who cannot identify birds themselves can contribute to real-time predictions of avian distributions. This is achieved through a digital twin that combines smartphone-based citizen science with long-term knowledge in a continuously updating model. The app submits raw audio to a backend that classifies birds with machine learning, reducing variation in data quality and enabling validation and reclassification by continuously improving classifiers. We counteracted spatiotemporal sampling biases by interval recordings and permanent point count networks. Over 2 years, the app generated 15 million bird detections. Independent test data show that the digital-twin-informed models are more accurate at predicting bird spatiotemporal distributions. Because our approach is highly scalable and has the potential to generate biomonitoring data even in understudied areas, it could accelerate the flow of reliable biodiversity information and increase inclusivity in citizen science projects.Abstract
Citizen science provides large amounts of biodiversity data. Key challenges in unlocking its full potential include engaging citizens with limited species identification skills and accelerating the transition from data collection to research and monitoring outputs. Here we use a large dataset from Finland to show how even citizens who cannot identify birds themselves can contribute to real-time predictions of avian distributions. This is achieved through a digital twin that combines smartphone-based citizen science with long-term knowledge in a continuously updating model. The app submits raw audio to a backend that classifies birds with machine learning, reducing variation in data quality and enabling validation and reclassification by continuously improving classifiers. We counteracted spatiotemporal sampling biases by interval recordings and permanent point count networks. Over 2 years, the app generated 15 million bird detections. Independent test data show that the digital-twin-informed models are more accurate at predicting bird spatiotemporal distributions. Because our approach is highly scalable and has the potential to generate biomonitoring data even in understudied areas, it could accelerate the flow of reliable biodiversity information and increase inclusivity in citizen science projects