A new algorithm for automatic photopeak searches

A new, "quantum mechanical" algorithm is proposed for automatic photopeak location in gamma-ray spectra from semiconductor and scintillator detectors.Comment: 9 pages, LaTex, without figures. Sample program and figures (by FAX) can be sent on reques

Biotransformation and endocrine disruptive effects of contaminants in ringed seals - implications for monitoring and risk assessment

Marine mammals are exposed to persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which may be biotransformed to metabolites some of which are highly toxic. Both POPs and their metabolites may lead to adverse health effects, which have been studied using various biomarkers. Changes in endocrine homeostasis have been suggested to be sensitive biomarkers for contaminant-related effects. The overall objective of this doctoral thesis was to investigate biotransformation capacity of POPs and their potential endocrine disruptive effects in two contrasting ringed seal populations from the low contaminated Svalbard area and from the highly contaminated Baltic Sea. Biotransformation capacity was studied by determining the relationships between congener-specific patterns and concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their hydroxyl (OH)- and/or methylsulfonyl (MeSO2)-metabolites, and catalytic activities of hepatic xenobiotic-metabolizing phase I and II enzymes. The results suggest that the biotransformation of PCBs, PBDEs and toxaphenes in ringed seals depends on the congener-specific halogen-substitution pattern. Biotransformation products detected in the seals included OH-PCBs, MeSO2-PCBs and –DDE, pentachlorophenol, 4-OHheptachlorostyrene, and to a minor extent OH-PBDEs. The effects of life history state (moulting and fasting) on contaminant status and potential biomarkers for endocrine disruption, including hormone and vitamin homeostasis, were investigated in the low contaminated ringed seal population from Svalbard. Moulting/fasting status strongly affected thyroid, vitamin A and calcitriol homeostasis, body condition and concentrations of POPs and their OH-metabolites. In contrast, moulting/fasting status was not associated with variations in vitamin E levels. Endocrine disruptive effects on multiple endpoints were investigated in the two contrasting ringed seal populations. The results suggest that thyroid, vitamin A and calcitriol homeostasis may be affected by the exposure of contaminants and/or their metabolites in the Baltic ringed seals. Complex and non-linear relationships were observed between the contaminant levels and the endocrine variables. Positive relationships between circulating free and total thyroid hormone concentration ratios and OH-PCBs suggest that OH-PCBs may mediate the disruption of thyroid hormone transport in plasma. Species differences in thyroid and bone-related effects of contaminants were studied in ringed and grey seals from low contaminated references areas and from the highly contaminated Baltic Sea. The results indicate that these two species living at the same environment approximately at the same trophic level respond in a very different way to contaminant exposure. The results of this thesis suggest that the health status of the Baltic ringed seals has still improved during the last decade. PCB and DDE levels have decreased in these seals and the contaminant-related effects are different today than a decade ago. The health of the Baltic ringed seals is still suggested to be affected by the contaminant exposure. At the present level of the contaminant exposure the Baltic ringed seals seem to be at a zone where their body is able to compensate for the contaminant-mediated endocrine disruption. Based on the results of this thesis, several recommendations that could be applied on monitoring and assessing risk for contaminant effects are provided. Circulating OH-metabolites should be included in monitoring and risk assessment programs due to their high toxic potential. It should be noted that endogenous variables may have complex and highly variable responses to contaminant exposure including non-linear responses. These relationships may be further confounded by life history status. Therefore, it is highly recommended that when using variables related to endocrine homeostasis to investigate/monitor or assess the risk of contaminant effects in seals, the life history status of the animal should be carefully taken into consideration. This applies especially when using thyroid, vitamin A or calcitriolrelated parameters during moulting/fasting period. Extrapolations between species for assessing risk for contaminant effects in phocid seals should be avoided.Siirretty Doriast

Marketing communication via Facebook in a Finnish golf company

Tutkimuksen tavoitteena on selvittää, millaista markkinointiviestintää suomalaisen golf-yhtiön tulisi Facebookin kautta toteuttaa, jotta se tukisi yhtiön strategisia tavoitteita ja mahdollistaisi kannattavan liiketoiminnan. Tähän tavoitteeseen pyritään tutustumalla aikaisempaan tutkimustietoon, joka liittyy markkinointiviestintään ja viestintään sosiaalisessa mediassa, erityisesti Facebookissa. Koska tarkoituksena on luoda myös case-yritykselle markkinointiviestintäsuunnitelma, tutustutaan teoriaosuudessa myös suunnitelman luomiseen liittyvään prosessiin. Tutkimuksessa hyödynnetään edellä mainitun lisäksi monia empiirisiä lähteitä, jotta tutkimus vastaa tavoitteeseensa. Empiirinen tieto on kerätty tutkittavasta case-yrityksestä haastattelemalla, tutustumalla tutkittavan yrityksen ja sen kilpailijoiden Facebook-profiileihin sekä havainnoimalla yrityksen ja sen asiakkaiden toimintaa. Tutkimuksen tulokset osoittivat, että golf-yhtiön kannattaa hyödyntää Facebookia omien pelioikeudellisten pelaajien sekä uusien golffareiden tavoittamiseen, sillä heille Facebookin mahdollistama yhteisöllisyys on muita asiakassegmenttejä tärkeämpää. Koska juuri yhteisöllisyys erottaa Facebookin muista viestintäkanavista, tulisi sitä pyrkiä kasvattamaan luomalla vuoropuhelua pelaajien välille sekä pelaajien ja golf-yhtiön välille. Näin ollen päivitysten tulisi Facebookissa olla osallistavia ja asiakkaita aktivoivia.The aim of the study is to find out what kind of marketing communications a Finnish golf company should implement through Facebook in order to support the company's strategic goals and enable the profitable business. This goal is pursued by reviewing previous research data related to marketing communications and communication on social media, particularly on Facebook. Since the intention is to create a marketing communication plan for the case company as well, the theoretical part also introduces the process related to the creation of the plan. The research also utilizes many empirical sources to make the research fit its purpose. Empirical sources have been collected from the investigated case company by interviewing, looking at Facebook pages of the company and its competitors, and observing the activities of the company and its customers. The results of the research showed that it is worthwhile for a golf company to use Facebook to reach its own gamblers as well as new golfers, as the community enabled by Facebook is more important to them than to other customer segments. Because it is communality that sets Facebook apart from other communication channels, efforts should be made to increase it by creating a dialogue between both the players and the company. Therefore, publication on Facebook should be participatory and customer activating

Eurooppalaisen tutkimuksen haasteet

Tiede ja tutkimus ovat jatkuva ja jännittävä löytöretki tuntemattoman kartoituksessa ja maailmankuvamme avartamisessa. Tieteen päivien 1997 yleisteemana oli maailmankuvan etsintä ja tarkennus uusimpien tutkimustulosten valossa. Mutta yhä enemmän tiede ja sen pohjalle rakentuva teknologia ovat myös aikamme merkittävimpiä muutosvoimia. Ne ovat tuoneet teollisuuteen uuden tuotannon paradigman, joka rakentuu paljon enemmän tiedon kuin raaka-aineiden, energian ja työvoiman varaan. Globaalin kilpailun ja pääomamarkkinoiden vapautumisen vauhdittamat muutokset luovat uusia kasvualueita, niin teknologioiden kuin maantieteen kartoilla, ja koettelevat samalla vanhoja jäykkiä rakenteita erityisesti Euroopassa

Co-feeding between Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperborea) and Svalbard Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus)

Co-feeding between Svalbard rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperborea) and Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) on Svalbard, Norway, was observed during our annual point transect survey of territorial Svalbard ptarmigan cocks in two side valleys of Adventdalen and Sassendalen. Both pairs and single hens or cocks used the feeding craters excavated by reindeer in search of food. We suggest that the use of reindeer feeding craters may be important to the Svalbard rock ptarmigan during snow-rich events in winter or after terrestrial ice-crust formation resulting from mild spells and rain-on-snow events. We expect that such co-feeding may be particularly important for saving energy in periods when territorial defence and preparation for the breeding season make high energy demands on ptarmigan of both sexes.La co-alimentation entre le lagopède alpin de Svalbard (Lagopus mutus hyperboreus) et le renne de Svalbard (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) à Svalbard, en Norvège, a été observée dans le cadre de notre enquête transect annuelle des coqs lagopèdes territoriaux de Svalbard dans deux vallées latérales d’Adventdalen et de Sassendalen. Les poules et les coqs en couples ou célibataires se servaient des fosses de broutage creusées par les rennes à la recherche de nourriture. On suggère que l’utilisation des fosses de broutage des rennes peut revêtir de l’importance pour le lagopède alpin de Svalbard pendant les périodes hivernales riches en neige ou après la formation de glace sur la couche terrestre résultant du temps doux ou de pluie sur la neige. On s’attend à ce que la co-alimentation de ce genre soit particulièrement importante lorsque vient le temps de conserver l’énergie pendant les périodes où la défense du territoire et la préparation pour la saison de reproduction occasionnent de fortes demandes d’énergie chez les lagopèdes des deux sexes