Showing papers by "Academy of Finland published in 1995"

The Finnish Research Programme on Climate Change SILMU

Abstract: SILMU, which runs from 1990 to 1995, aims at studying climate change and its impacts. It also seeks to provide information to Finnish policy makers on adaptation and mitigation. The topics range from air chemisrty to sociology, and the total number of projects is 74. Interim evaluation of the programme was carried out in 1992. During the second half of SILMU, 10 % of the total budget (total: 14 Million ECU) has been devoted to programme integration.

Cortical processing of vowels and tones as measured by event-related desynchronization

Abstract: Event-Related Desynchronization (ERD) and Synchronization (ERS) were studied in 20 normal subjects during a Sternberg-type auditory memory-scanning paradigm. Half of the subjects performed the experiment with vowels and the other half with tones as stimuli. The stimuli consisted of 100 msec long synthesized vowels and 100 msec long tones produced by eight different synthesized instruments. In this paradigm each trial started with the presentation of a visual warning signal, after which a four-stimulus set was presented for memorization whereafter a probe stimulus was presented and identified by the subject as belonging or not belonging to the memorized set. The ERD/ERS of the lower (8–10 Hz) and upper (10–12 Hz) alpha frequency bands differed in their reactivity to stimulus type; the differences between the two frequency bands reached statistical significance only in the case of vowels. The presentation of the memory set elicited ERS which was more pronounced in the 10–12 Hz frequency band and greater for vowels than for tones. On the other hand, the presentation of the probe elicited ERD which was greater for vowels than for tones, especially in the upper alpha frequency band. The results of this exploratory study suggest that ERD is closely related to memory processes and that the ERD/ERS-technique might provide a valuable tool for future reseach encompassing more complex auditory stimulation like speech and music.

Finite State Transformations of Images

Abstract: Weighted finite transducers (WFT) are finite state devices that serve as a powerful tool for describing and implementing a large variety of image transformations and more generally linear operators on real functions.

International CO2 Taxation and the Dynamics of Fossil Fuel Markets

Abstract: International CO2 taxation may have major implications for fossil fuel markets. These effects must be taken into account in calculating the net gain from CO2 taxation. The paper assumes that buyers have formed an agency that applies a CO2 tax and sellers are competitive or constitute a resource cartel. When sellers are competitive, buyers' agency may use monopsony power by applying an import tariff. At the resulting time-consistent equilibrium, the sellers lose their resource rent. In contrast, the solution where the sellers' cartel maximizes its profits is time inconsistent. At the time-consistent Nash feedback equilibrium, the seller's monopoly power vanishes asymptotically. The sellers' export fee reduces the buyers' pollution tax. At this equilibrium, the buyers' pollution tax includes an import subsidy, and the tax falls below the present value of the marginal pollution damage. In the Nash feedback equilibrium, higher pollution damage may imply higher initial producer prices, although this effect is always the reverse in the Pareto optimum.

Evaluation activities in the Nordic countries

Abstract: There has been extensive experience with evaluations in the Nordic countries. The paper gives a brief overview of work related to: evaluations of research fields, bibliometric studies, evaluations of research programmes, performance of research institutes, evaluation of bodies supporting research, evaluation of universities, indicators and databases. Evaluations of whole areas of research started in the Nordic countries in the early 1980's. Another Nordic speciality is the evaluation of research-funding bodies. These evaluations comprise the Swedish Council for Planning and Co-ordination of Research, the Norwegian Research Council for Science and Humanities, the Academy of Finland and the Technology Development Centre (TEKES). Many research programmes, research institutes and more narrow research fields have been evaluated in the Nordic countries. The evaluations have covered the tasks, performance and structure of these organisations. Lately, whole universities have been evaluated. A number of theoretical and methodological studies on evaluation have been published. Indicators of scientific, technological and educational performance and output have been developed in the Nordic countries. The paper deals mainly with ex post and to some extent also mid-term evaluations. However, ex ante evaluation, including peer review, has actively been developed and applied in the Nordic countries, though these developments lie outside the scope of this paper. Typical for many Nordic evaluations is the use of foreign evaluators. Others have been based on surveys with potential users of research results and the scientists involved. Some of the evaluations have combined these approaches. Bibliometric studies have been performed parallel with some of the evaluations. Other bibliometric studies have compared the performance of the Nordic countries in an international perspective. In most cases the results of the evaluations are actively made public. Many of the evaluations combine an assessment of quality and relevance. According to Nordic experiences important conditions for useful evaluations are: credibility implying the use of impartial and recognised experts and professionally done surveys; careful timing; active publicising of evaluation results; transparency of evaluation procedure; concrete measures and action following the evaluation. When possible data required for the evaluation should be collected already in connection with the application or the report of the projects.