Turku University of Applied Sciences

About: Turku University of Applied Sciences is a education organization based out in Turku, Finland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Higher education & Mental health. The organization has 318 authors who have published 559 publications receiving 5847 citations.

The nurse teacher in clinical practice: Developing the new sub-dimension to the clinical learning environment and supervision (CLES) scale

Abstract: Background Building on previous work undertaken in developing the clinical learning environment and supervision (CLES) scale this report outlines the development of a new sub-dimension to the CLES scale. Objectives The aim was to develop an additional sub-scale to the CLES scale for measuring the quality of nurse teacher's co-operation with the crucial actors in the clinical practice of student nurses. Design, setting and methods The original CLES scale and the subsequent CLES+T scale have been validated in two different empirical studies (N=416 and 549). Construct validity of the instrument was assessed with explorative factor analysis (EFA) and principal components analysis (PCA). Results The structure of the CLES+T scales factor model followed theoretical presumptions and the factors’ eigenvalues and explanation percentages (64%) were sufficient. Conclusions A validated evaluation tool—the CLES+T scale—can be used as a part of the total quality assessment of nurse education perceived by student nurses in Finland.

Spectrum Occupancy Measurements: A Survey and Use of Interference Maps

Abstract: In order to provide meaningful data about spectrum use, occupancy measurements describing the utilization rate of a specific frequency band should be conducted over a specific area instead of a single location. This paper presents a comprehensive methodology for the measurement and analysis of spectrum occupancy. This paper surveys spectrum measurement campaigns and associated interference maps, introducing the latter as a tool for spectrum analysis and management based on measurement data. An interference map characterizes the spectrum use by defining the level of interference over an area of interest in a certain frequency band. Building on findings from practical measurement studies, guidelines for spectrum occupancy measurements are given. While many scientific spectrum occupancy measurement papers tend to be too optimistic about the significance and generality of the results, we propose a cautionary perspective on drawing strong conclusions based on the often limited amount of data gathered. The different phases of the spectrum occupancy measurement and analysis process are described and a thorough discussion of interpolation methods is provided. Means to improve the measurement accuracy are discussed, especially regarding spatial domain considerations and the impact of the sampling interval on the results. A practical example of an improved measurement system design covering all the phases of the measurement process and used at the Turku, Finland; Blacksburg, VA, USA; and Chicago, IL, USA, spectrum observatories is given. Using the improved design, more realistic spectrum occupancy data can be obtained to lay the foundation for spectrum management decisions.

Future challenges for nursing education--a European perspective.

Abstract: In Europe, there have been reforms in nursing education during last years and many political papers have been published. The reforms have given need for harmonising nursing education. In spite of that, there are differences in nursing education system in Europe. In this paper, we describe some main policy papers in the field of nursing education and identify selected future challenges. These challenges have been named for developing cross-cultural collaboration, clinical learning environment, role of patients and teacher education.

The Uncertainty of Innovation: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Abstract: Innovation is defined as a process that is fraught with uncertainty. This article’s aim is to diminish lack of knowledge of the factors that create uncertainty in innovation processes. The basic thrust of the present argument is that the potential value integral to innovation may or may not be materialized in the future. Given that the future entails uncertainty, it is reasonable to expect that uncertainty is inherent in every innovation process. Uncertainty results from the fact that, on the one hand, events in the future do not follow the course of past events, and, on the other, knowledge of the future is always incomplete. Using a systematic approach to reviewing the literature, eight factors which create uncertainty in processes of innovation were identified, namely: technological uncertainty, market uncertainty, regulatory/institutional uncertainty, social/political uncertainty, acceptance/legitimacy uncertainty, managerial uncertainty, timing uncertainty, and consequence uncertainty.

Traffic is a major source of atmospheric nanocluster aerosol

Abstract: In densely populated areas, traffic is a significant source of atmospheric aerosol particles. Owing to their small size and complicated chemical and physical characteristics, atmospheric particles resulting from traffic emissions pose a significant risk to human health and also contribute to anthropogenic forcing of climate. Previous research has established that vehicles directly emit primary aerosol particles and also contribute to secondary aerosol particle formation by emitting aerosol precursors. Here, we extend the urban atmospheric aerosol characterization to cover nanocluster aerosol (NCA) particles and show that a major fraction of particles emitted by road transportation are in a previously unmeasured size range of 1.3-3.0 nm. For instance, in a semiurban roadside environment, the NCA represented 20-54% of the total particle concentration in ambient air. The observed NCA concentrations varied significantly depending on the traffic rate and wind direction. The emission factors of NCA for traffic were 2.4·1015 (kgfuel)-1 in a roadside environment, 2.6·1015 (kgfuel)-1 in a street canyon, and 2.9·1015 (kgfuel)-1 in an on-road study throughout Europe. Interestingly, these emissions were not associated with all vehicles. In engine laboratory experiments, the emission factor of exhaust NCA varied from a relatively low value of 1.6·1012 (kgfuel)-1 to a high value of 4.3·1015 (kgfuel)-1 These NCA emissions directly affect particle concentrations and human exposure to nanosized aerosol in urban areas, and potentially may act as nanosized condensation nuclei for the condensation of atmospheric low-volatile organic compounds.