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Microplastic Removal from Water Using Biomass-Based Carbon: A Review of Recent Advances
No full textAbstract
Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as priority contaminants in aquatic environments in recent years. Growing public concern surrounds their environmental and health impacts, as well as their contribution to future global environmental challenges. As emerging contaminants, key challenges lie in developing efficient methods for their detection, quantification, and removal from aqueous media. Numerous techniques for MP remediation from water have been reported in the literature. Among these, biomass-derived carbon presents several advantages, including low cost, abundance of raw materials, efficient removal capabilities, and sustainability. This review critically evaluates the potential of biomass-derived carbon for the removal of MPs from water. It provides a concise overview of MP sources and their environmental pathways. Additionally, it summarizes the synthesis methods and characteristics of biomass-derived carbon. The review elaborates on the removal performance and underlying mechanisms of MPs by these materials. Key challenges and future research recommendations are also discussed. This review provides valuable insights for researchers, summarizing the current research landscape and outlining strategies for advancing MP remediation using biomass-derived carbon.Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as priority contaminants in aquatic environments in recent years. Growing public concern surrounds their environmental and health impacts, as well as their contribution to future global environmental challenges. As emerging contaminants, key challenges lie in developing efficient methods for their detection, quantification, and removal from aqueous media. Numerous techniques for MP remediation from water have been reported in the literature. Among these, biomass-derived carbon presents several advantages, including low cost, abundance of raw materials, efficient removal capabilities, and sustainability. This review critically evaluates the potential of biomass-derived carbon for the removal of MPs from water. It provides a concise overview of MP sources and their environmental pathways. Additionally, it summarizes the synthesis methods and characteristics of biomass-derived carbon. The review elaborates on the removal performance and underlying mechanisms of MPs by these materials. Key challenges and future research recommendations are also discussed. This review provides valuable insights for researchers, summarizing the current research landscape and outlining strategies for advancing MP remediation using biomass-derived carbon
The Role of Spiritual Role Models in Shaping Social Entrepreneurial Intention: A Cross-Country Analysis
No full textAbstract
Building upon the theory of spiritual modelling and embracing insights from the social cognitive and situated expectancy-value theories, this study proposes that spiritual role models affect social entrepreneurial intention (SEI) directly and indirectly through risk-taking ability, spiritual motivation toward social good and attitudes toward social sustainability. The hypothesised mediation model was tested using 507 surveys from Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh using structural equation modelling. Results support the mediation model, and the findings establish and support the relevance of spiritual modelling theory in SEI by identifying several empirical links between spiritual role models and behavioural intention.Abstract
Building upon the theory of spiritual modelling and embracing insights from the social cognitive and situated expectancy-value theories, this study proposes that spiritual role models affect social entrepreneurial intention (SEI) directly and indirectly through risk-taking ability, spiritual motivation toward social good and attitudes toward social sustainability. The hypothesised mediation model was tested using 507 surveys from Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh using structural equation modelling. Results support the mediation model, and the findings establish and support the relevance of spiritual modelling theory in SEI by identifying several empirical links between spiritual role models and behavioural intention
Density as an indicator of sustainable urban development: insights from Helsinki?
No full textAbstract
Densification has become a dominant strategy for sustainable urban development in recent decades, viewed as a main antidote to urban sprawl and essential for achieving a range of urban qualities from economic to ecological. Despite its prominence as an indicator and driver of sustainable development, measuring density in a meaningful way poses significant challenges. Arbitrary metrics often overlook the complexity of density and its associations, leading to potential unintended outcomes in density-driven planning. Using the Helsinki region as a case study, this article demonstrates the sensitivity of density measurements to minor changes in reference areas and calculation units, highlighting how different types of density can loosely relate to each other. Our findings underscore the importance of precise methodological choices in avoiding misguided planning decisions and policy advice that could compromise sustainability goals, revealing the complex dynamics of infill and edge growth often obscured in regional density measures.Abstract
Densification has become a dominant strategy for sustainable urban development in recent decades, viewed as a main antidote to urban sprawl and essential for achieving a range of urban qualities from economic to ecological. Despite its prominence as an indicator and driver of sustainable development, measuring density in a meaningful way poses significant challenges. Arbitrary metrics often overlook the complexity of density and its associations, leading to potential unintended outcomes in density-driven planning. Using the Helsinki region as a case study, this article demonstrates the sensitivity of density measurements to minor changes in reference areas and calculation units, highlighting how different types of density can loosely relate to each other. Our findings underscore the importance of precise methodological choices in avoiding misguided planning decisions and policy advice that could compromise sustainability goals, revealing the complex dynamics of infill and edge growth often obscured in regional density measures
Huomaamattomat hyödyt loputtomasta selaamisesta : TikTokin positiivinen vaikutus toisen kielen (L2) kuullun ymmärtämiseen
No full textThis study explores the influence and the beneficial effects of the social media platform TikTok on English listening comprehension among Finnish lower secondary school students (grades 7 to 9). As social media, especially TikTok, is a significant part of young people’s everyday lives, the frequent exposure to English they receive can be considered as support for their foreign language learning. Adapting a mixed methods research design, the research data was collected through a small-scale online survey. The survey included questions which touched upon the participants’ usage patterns, English-language content they receive through the platform and its influence on their schoolwork. The survey received a total of 51 responses which were analysed with descriptive statistics as well as with thematic analysis. The findings show that the participants in general receive English content on TikTok constantly and even though they do not use the platform with the learning purpose in mind, the majority of the participants feel like they receive benefits for their English listening comprehension. The different features of TikTok, such as automatic subtitles, turned out to be mainly insignificant because most of the participants do not use them. This study supports the fact that students’ social media use can be integrated with schoolwork and language education and highlights TikTok’s role as a digital learning tool
Implementation of video tracking on a microcontroller
No full textTässä kandidaatintyössä suunnitellaan ja toteutetaan piirrepohjainen videoseurantajärjestelmä ESP32-S3-mikrokontrollerille. Työ etenee teorian esittelystä käytännön toteutukseen, ja lopuksi analysoidaan järjestelmän suorituskykyä ja seurannan laatua. Tavoitteena on selvittää, kuinka hyvin mikrokontrolleri kykenee suorittamaan videoseurantaa paikallisesti laitteella.
Teoriaosioissa määritellään muun muassa videoseurannan ja piirteiden käsitteet ja selitetään projektissa käytettyjen menetelmien matematiikka. Videoseurannan kannalta merkittävimmät menetelmät työssä ovat BRIEF ja FAST.
Käytännön osiossa kerrotaan ohjelmiston arkkitehtuurista, algoritmien toteutuksesta ja muista toteutuksen kannalta merkittävistä seikoista, kuten tietoliikenteestä ja asiakasohjelmistosta. Tulos- ja pohdintaosioissa arvioidaan järjestelmän toimivuutta ja laitteen soveltuvuutta videoseurantaan sekä ehdotetaan jatkokehityskohteita.In this thesis, a feature-based video tracking system is designed and implemented for the ESP32-S3 microcontroller. The work progresses from presenting the theory to practical implementation, and finally analyzes the system’s performance and tracking quality. The goal is to determine how well the microcontoller is suited to perform video tracking locally on the device.
The theoretical sections define concepts such as video tracking and features, and explain the mathematics behind the methods used in the project. The most significant methods for video tracking in this thesis are BRIEF and FAST.
The practical section describes the software’s architecture, the implementation of the algorithms, and other aspects that are important for the implementation, such as communications and the client software. In the results and discussion sections, the system’s functionality and the device’s suitability for video tracking are evaluated, and areas for further development are suggested
Mobility
No full textAbstract
Conversation analytic research on mobility explores how the ways in which people talk and use their bodies to interact is interconnected with the mobile situation in which they interact. In general, it has been studied how talk and embodied actions make mobility possible (e.g., direction-giving when navigating), and how talk and embodied actions are timed and coordinated with respect to the mobile situation (e.g., giving directions in time to not miss a junction). This chapter gives first an overview of conversation analytic research on interaction and mobility. Then, by drawing on data excerpts from car driving situations, it analyses the interconnection between mobility and interaction. It focuses on contexts of turning, stopping, and arriving to drop off a passenger. The chapter concludes with suggestions for future research on mobility in interaction.Abstract
Conversation analytic research on mobility explores how the ways in which people talk and use their bodies to interact is interconnected with the mobile situation in which they interact. In general, it has been studied how talk and embodied actions make mobility possible (e.g., direction-giving when navigating), and how talk and embodied actions are timed and coordinated with respect to the mobile situation (e.g., giving directions in time to not miss a junction). This chapter gives first an overview of conversation analytic research on interaction and mobility. Then, by drawing on data excerpts from car driving situations, it analyses the interconnection between mobility and interaction. It focuses on contexts of turning, stopping, and arriving to drop off a passenger. The chapter concludes with suggestions for future research on mobility in interaction
The perceived role of TikTok influencers in contributing to the overconsumption behaviors of Gen Z
No full textThis master’s thesis examines the TikTok influencer’s contribution to Generation Z (Gen Z) consumers’ unethical consumption behaviors. Furthermore, the study aims to investigate Gen Z’s internal processes and justification for such consumption behaviors. Considering social media influencers’ (SMIs) significant role in shaping consumers’ attitudes and consumption behaviors, it is important to understand their perceived role in Gen Z’s overconsumption. Moreover, limited focus on the ethical considerations of influencer marketing and overconsumption in marketing literature illustrates the need for further research on SMIs’ contribution to consumer overconsumption.
This thesis consists of an introduction, a literature review, a methodology, empirical findings, and conclusions. The literature review examines social media and social media influencers, including their ethical complexities. Furthermore, it provides insight into Gen Z’s values and consumption habits, and a thorough understanding of the challenges and drivers of unethical and overconsumption behaviors.
The Stimulus-Organism-Response model and moral disengagement theories were applied to create the theoretical framework for the study. The research methodology of the study consisted of a qualitative online survey to investigate Generation Z consumers’ perceptions and experiences regarding overconsumption behaviors emerging through TikTok influencer content stimulus. In addition, Gen Z consumers’ justification for such behaviors was explored. The qualitative online study enabled a variety of Generation Z consumers’ deep and complex perceptions of the research phenomenon.
Through the qualitative study, three external cues from TikTok influencer content were identified, including content formats, content features, and normalization, and high exposure to influencer content. Moreover, the findings revealed that TikTok influencer content stimuli resulted in conflicting cognitive and emotional processes, including positive, mixed, and negative emotions. The findings further suggest that Gen Z’s conflicting emotional and cognitive processes shaped their behavioral responses, contributing to both overconsumption behaviors and critical consumption behaviors. Thus, the findings reveal that TikTok influencer content can contribute to Gen Z overconsumption behaviors through external stimuli. However, the behavioral responses were not unanimous, as Gen Z showed resistance and engaged in critical consumption behaviors as well.
This thesis contributes to marketing research by synthesizing the two theoretical frameworks and offering crucial insights into SMI’s harmful consequences and ethical considerations. Furthermore, it contributes to the literature on marketing’s relation to overconsumption behaviors. This thesis provides practical implications for brands, marketers, influencers, policymakers, and consumers themselves by encouraging them to adopt more responsible and ethical practices
Mortality and Causes of Death After Metabolic Bariatric Surgery in Older Patients
No full textAbstract
Background:
Metabolic bariatric surgery leads to improved life expectancy in younger individuals, but whether older (> 60 years) individuals benefit from metabolic bariatric surgery is uncertain. This study examined mortality and causes of death in patients with metabolic bariatric surgery at age 60 years or older.
Materials and Methods:
This was a population-based matched cohort study based on all healthcare in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden between 1996 and 2024. All patients who had primary metabolic bariatric surgery at age > 60 years were included and exactly matched 1:5 to comparison individuals of the same age, sex, country, and calendar year with non-operative treatment for obesity. Cox regression provided hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals for mortality adjusted for multiple obesity-related diseases and frailty.
Results:
In total, 3879 (16.7%) patients with metabolic bariatric surgery and 19395 (83.3%) patients with non-operative treatment for obesity were included and followed for 176632 person-years. The cumulative mortality was 17.5% (n = 677) among operated patients compared to 23.5% (n = 4536) in the non-operated. In adjusted analyses, metabolic bariatric surgery was associated with 32% decreased mortality (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.63–0.73). The results were consistent in patients of age > 60–70 years at the time of surgery, but there was no apparent benefit in patients operated at age > 70 years (HR 1.14, 95% CI 0.89–1.47). Operated patients were less likely to die from cardiovascular disease (57.6% versus 65.8%, p < 0.001), but other causes of death were similarly distributed between the groups.
Conclusion:
Metabolic bariatric surgery may decrease mortality in older patients with severe obesity.Abstract
Background:
Metabolic bariatric surgery leads to improved life expectancy in younger individuals, but whether older (> 60 years) individuals benefit from metabolic bariatric surgery is uncertain. This study examined mortality and causes of death in patients with metabolic bariatric surgery at age 60 years or older.
Materials and Methods:
This was a population-based matched cohort study based on all healthcare in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden between 1996 and 2024. All patients who had primary metabolic bariatric surgery at age > 60 years were included and exactly matched 1:5 to comparison individuals of the same age, sex, country, and calendar year with non-operative treatment for obesity. Cox regression provided hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals for mortality adjusted for multiple obesity-related diseases and frailty.
Results:
In total, 3879 (16.7%) patients with metabolic bariatric surgery and 19395 (83.3%) patients with non-operative treatment for obesity were included and followed for 176632 person-years. The cumulative mortality was 17.5% (n = 677) among operated patients compared to 23.5% (n = 4536) in the non-operated. In adjusted analyses, metabolic bariatric surgery was associated with 32% decreased mortality (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.63–0.73). The results were consistent in patients of age > 60–70 years at the time of surgery, but there was no apparent benefit in patients operated at age > 70 years (HR 1.14, 95% CI 0.89–1.47). Operated patients were less likely to die from cardiovascular disease (57.6% versus 65.8%, p < 0.001), but other causes of death were similarly distributed between the groups.
Conclusion:
Metabolic bariatric surgery may decrease mortality in older patients with severe obesity
Applying artificial neural networks, symmetrical and asymmetrical approaches to measure the nexus of digital competences among European educators
No full textAbstract
This study explores the interrelationships among digital tool usage, digital content creation, technology-supported collaboration, and digital assessment practices among 250 in-service teachers from Türkiye, Portugal, Romania, and Spain. Training participants completed structured and open-ended questions as part of a European-funded program delivered through a gamified Learning Management System designed to enhance collaboration. A comprehensive mixed-methods approach integrated Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), Multi-Group Analysis (MGA), Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), and fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), providing complementary perspectives on the data-driven associations among digital competence dimensions. PLS-SEM results revealed significant positive correlations among digital tool usage, content creation, collaboration, and assessment. Digital collaboration (β = 0.513) and content creation (β = 0.202) were positively associated with digital assessment, with collaboration (β = 0.370) showing a stronger associative pathway between tool usage and assessment than content creation (β = 0.139). fsQCA identified that the concurrent presence of tool usage, content creation, and collaboration was linked to higher digital assessment outcomes (consistency = 0.847). ANN sensitivity analysis highlighted the relative importance of collaboration (1.02) compared with tool usage (0.53) and content creation (0.24) in revealing associations within digital assessment practices. These multi-method correlational findings underscore the central role of technology-supported collaboration in integrating digital competences and provide data-driven insights for educational policy and teacher professional development.Abstract
This study explores the interrelationships among digital tool usage, digital content creation, technology-supported collaboration, and digital assessment practices among 250 in-service teachers from Türkiye, Portugal, Romania, and Spain. Training participants completed structured and open-ended questions as part of a European-funded program delivered through a gamified Learning Management System designed to enhance collaboration. A comprehensive mixed-methods approach integrated Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), Multi-Group Analysis (MGA), Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), and fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), providing complementary perspectives on the data-driven associations among digital competence dimensions. PLS-SEM results revealed significant positive correlations among digital tool usage, content creation, collaboration, and assessment. Digital collaboration (β = 0.513) and content creation (β = 0.202) were positively associated with digital assessment, with collaboration (β = 0.370) showing a stronger associative pathway between tool usage and assessment than content creation (β = 0.139). fsQCA identified that the concurrent presence of tool usage, content creation, and collaboration was linked to higher digital assessment outcomes (consistency = 0.847). ANN sensitivity analysis highlighted the relative importance of collaboration (1.02) compared with tool usage (0.53) and content creation (0.24) in revealing associations within digital assessment practices. These multi-method correlational findings underscore the central role of technology-supported collaboration in integrating digital competences and provide data-driven insights for educational policy and teacher professional development