Showing papers by "University of Lapland published in 2002"

Effect of periodic melting on geochemical and isotopic signals in an ice core from Lomonosovfonna, Svalbard

Abstract: [1] We examine the quality of atmospherically deposited ion and isotope signals in an ice core taken from a periodically melting ice field, Lomonosovfonna in central Spitsbergen, Svalbard. The aim is to determine the degree to which the signals are altered by periodic melting of the ice. We use three diagnostics: (1) the relation between peak values in the ice chemical and isotopic record and ice facies type, (2) the number of apparent annual cycles in these records compared with independently determined number of years represented in the ice core, and (3) a statistical comparison of the isotopic record in the ice core and the isotope records from coastal stations from the same region. We find that during warm summers, as much as 50% of the annual accumulation may melt and percolate into the firn; in a median year this decreases to similar to25%. As a consequence of percolation, the most mobile acids show up to 50% higher concentrations in bubble-poor ice facies compared with facies that are less affected by melt. Most of the other chemical species are less affected than the strong acids, and the stable water isotopes show little evidence of mobility. Annual or biannual cycles are detected in most parameters, and the water isotope record has a comparable statistical distribution to isotopic records from coastal stations. We conclude that ice cores from sites like Lomonosovfonna contain a useful environmental record, despite melt events and percolation and that most parameters preserve an annual, or in the worst cases, a biannual atmospheric signal.

Spatial and temporal variability of snow accumulation using ground-penetrating radar and ice cores on a Svalbard glacier

Abstract: A 50 MHz ground-penetrating radar was used to detect horizontal layers in the snowpack along a longitudinal profile on Nordenskjoldbreen, a Svalbard glacier. The profile passed two shallow and one deep ice-core sites. Two internal radar reflection layers were dated using parameters measured in the deep core. Radar travel times were converted to water equivalent, yielding snow-accumulation rates along the profile for three time periods: 1986-99, 1963-99 and 1963-86. The results show 40-60% spatial variability in snow accumulation over short distances along the profile. The average annual accumulation rate for 1986-99 was found to be about 12% higher than for the period 1963-86, which indicates increased accumulation in the late 1980s and 1990s.

Upscaling soil organic carbon estimates for the Usa Basin (Northeast European Russia) using GIS-based landcover and soil classification schemes

Abstract: This study provides estimates of average soil organic carbon content for the Usa Basin in Northeast European Russia, using two independent databases and two separate upscaling tools. The results are very similar despite differences in sample size and spatial resolution. Based on the merged databases and landcover upscaling, the average carbon content in the Usa Basin is 10,7 Kg Cm−2 for the upper 30 cm soil layer, 25,5 Kg Cm−2 for a reference 1 m soil depth and 31,2 Kg Cm−2 for total soil. The 'peatland' cover classes, with an average 76,3 Kg Cm−2 and 30% surface coverage, account for 73% of total organic carbon storage in the Usa Basin. Upland forest and tundra classes have similar average total carbon contents—on the order of 11,2–11,4 Kg Cm−2. Detailed regional and national assessments of northern terrestrial carbon pools, upscaled using landcover or soil classification schemes like the one presented here for the Usa Basin, arrive at much higher average total soil carbon estimates than general...

Modeling the radio echo reflections inside the ice sheet at Summit, Greenland

Abstract: [1] Radio echo surveys to determine the thickness of ice sheets often record reflections from inside the ice. To increase our understanding of these internal reflections, we have used synthetic seismogram techniques from early seismic modeling to construct two models. Both models were one-dimensional; the first considered only primary reflections, while the second included both primary and multiple reflections. The inputs to both models were a radio pulse and data from the Greenland Ice Core Project (GRIP) core of length 3028 m. The ice core data consisted of a profile of the high-frequency conductivity, calculated from dielectric profile (DEP) measurements, and a smooth profile of the real permittivity. The models produced synthetic radargrams which are the energy reflected from conductivity variations as a function of the two-way travel time. Both models gave similar results, indicating that multiples do not alter the travel time of the reflections, i.e., no O'Doherty-Anstey effect at our time resolution. One of the results was then processed to simulate the reflected energy passing through the receiver circuit of a radio echo system and then compared with a recorded trace. The processed result contained many of the larger reflections recorded below about 500 m, including nearly all the features from depths greater than 1500 m, in particular, several interstadial events in the Wisconsin age ice. Since high-frequency conductivity variations are dominated by chemical changes which are caused by deposition on the surface of the ice sheet, it is possible to conclude that the reflections deep inside the Greenland ice sheet can be treated as isochrons.

Effect of moderate wintertime undernutrition on fatty acid composition of adipose tissues of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.)

Abstract: We studied the effect of moderate undernutrition on the fatty acid composition of adipose tissues in reindeer calves (<1 year) between early winter and late spring. Calves studied in early winter (December) had grazed on natural pastures and were in good condition, while the calves in spring (April) had been maintained on a negative energy balance since December, had lost approximately 16% of body weight and were in a moderate undernutritional state. The fatty acid composition of total lipids in adipose tissues (perirenal-abdominal, peristernal, scapular, intralumbar, and caudal locations) had a high proportion of oleic acid (35-47%) in both seasons. The proportion of oleic acid was significantly lower (29%), and that of palmitic acid (31%) was higher in the adipose tissue of cardiac groove as compared to other locations. There were only small differences in the fatty acid composition of adipose tissues between early winter and spring. However, the proportions of the principal C18-polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid, were significantly lower in all adipose tissues in calves in poor than in good condition. The observations suggest that linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids may be selectively mobilized from adipose tissues of undernourished reindeer during winter.

Legislative Language in the EU: The Crucible

Abstract: The present article discusses threeactors whose interests shape legislativelanguage in the EU to a significant extent: thelay reader, the legislator and the linguist. Asthe end user of legislation, the first isconcerned with inscription – a reliable,i.e., transparent, final product. The secondhas a strong professional interest in prescription – fixing meaning to achieveconsistent application of the law. The third isand must be utterly disinterested, focusing ondescription – a systematic account ofprevailing usage. The dynamic obtaining amongthese interests is illustrated through a studyof ambiguity in the use of the deontic modalsshall, may and must in legislation. Thediscussion first takes up inconsistencies ofuse that compromise transparency in what isassumed to be unambiguous drafting. It thengoes on to sketch attempts within the legalprofession to address issues of discrepantusage in the modals and outlines mediatingmechanisms, all feasible in and some unique tothe EU, which might contain the tensionsidentified.

Effects of solar UV radiation on birch and pine seedlings in the sub-Arctic

Abstract: The responses of Betula pubescens Ehr. (European white birch), B. pendula Roth (silver birch) and two provenances of Pinus sylvestris L. (Scots pine) to solar ultraviolet (UV < 400 nm) radiation were investigated in a UV-exclusion field experiment during the 1997–99 growing seasons in Finnish Lapland (68°N). The seedlings were grown from seed under UV-B exclusion (a clear polyester filter) and UV-B/UV-A exclusion (a clear acrylic plate) as compared to control treatment (a polyethene filter) and ambient plants (no plastic filter). The mean daily maximum solar biologically effective UV-B irradiance (UV-BE) was 88 mW m-2, 68 mW m-2, and 91 mW m-2 for 1997, 1998, and 1999. A number of growth and biomass variables, PSII (Photosystem II) efficiency, and total concentration of nitrogen were recorded during and/or at the end of the experiment. Exposure (191 d) to solar UV radiation over three growing seasons did not cause many statistically significant UV effects in the growth or biomass of the seedlings. The only significant impacts of UV exclusion were found in P. sylvestris provenance Enontekio. During the first growing season, the UVB/ UV-A exclusion treatment significantly accelerated the height increment (18–20%) off. sylvestris, and in the same seedlings, the UV-B exclusion treatment resulted in significantly increased dry weight of one-year-old needles (45–57%) after the second growing season. These UV impacts could not be seen at the end of the experiment or in any other species. The low concentration of N in current foliage was related to increased dry weight, but not to solar UV radiation (control vs UV exclusion). The present study indicated that solar UV radiation had limited, but sometimes transient, impacts on the growth of tree seedlings in the sub-Arctic. Longer-term field studies are needed, however, in order to detect the cumulative characteristics of the UV responses.

Environmental Impact Assessment and Space Activities

Abstract: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), the prior assessment of the possible effects of a proposed activity on the environment, is a common tool for environmental protection and management on Earth today It was the first major step in the development of impact assessment procedures, which are probably the most obvious examples of an approach that integrates economic, social and environmental considerations EIA is not a well-established tool in the international law of outer space, however Despite the peculiarities in assessing the potential impacts of space activities, the premise of this paper is that also this field of human endeavor would benefit greatly from the adoption of EIA procedures and, moreover, such an approach is even becoming vital for the safe and rational conduct of these activities This is particularly true inasmuch as any adverse environmental impacts of space activities are highly difficult to mitigate once they have materialized

The Online Interactive Curriculum Portal as One Key to the Well-Structured Learning Activity of Students

Abstract: In contrast to traditional types of learning and teaching processes and learning media, such as printed material for Web and hypermedia learning resources, Web resources and Web-based activities are quite often unfortunately more or less separate parts of the planning process and curriculum documentation in an organization's traditional organizational level of educational. This paper introduces a portal system based on curriculum content. An attempt is made to solve the problem of integrating the access and use of learning through both traditional and modern postmodern types of resources into an online interactive coherent system of curriculum documentation at the organizational level. The University of Lapland (Finland) developed an Online Curriculum-based Internet Web portal as a pilot for one course in order to integrate all learning resources through Online Curriculum/Online Syllabus, "eCurriculum/eSyllabus", content into one location. The heart of the system is located on the public Internet and the recent beta testing system is currently based on the HTML standard, thus avoiding the commitment of the organization to a single platform for learning resources. (Contains 13 references and 4 figures.) (Author) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. The Online Interactive Curriculum Portal as One Key to the Well-Structured Learning Activity of Students PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY

Environmental Impact Assessment and Space Activities

Abstract: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), the prior assessment of the possible effects of a proposed activity on the environment, is a common tool for environmental protection and management on Earth today. It was the first major step in the development of impact assessment procedures, which are probably the most obvious examples of an approach that integrates economic, social and environmental considerations. EIA is not a well-established tool in the international law of outer space, however. Despite the peculiarities in assessing the potential impacts of space activities, the premise of this paper is that also this field of human endeavor would benefit greatly from the adoption of EIA procedures and, moreover, such an approach is even becoming vital for the safe and rational conduct of these activities. This is particularly true inasmuch as any adverse environmental impacts of space activities are highly difficult to mitigate once they have materialized.

Data Security: A Fundamental Right in the e-Society?

Abstract: The birth of the modern network society and the strengthening of the idea of the constitutional state in Europe have occurred largely at the same time. This juxtaposition, although more accident than design, obligates us to examine from the legal perspective the tension between the array of opportunities (e.g., convergence) and new risks which the network society brings and the legal effectiveness of the constitutional state. The prevailing attitude towards data security offers an illuminating example of the new encounter between technology and law. A look at legislation and legal practice in this area reveals a variety of approaches. I present these and go on to argue for a position whereby data security can and should be assessed in terms of fundamental rights. We have a right to data security in the information infrastructure. At the same time, it must be pointed out that, if we are to avoid the potential risks involved, data security must quite literally be security, whereas legal regulation strives for certainty. When we attempt to forestall risks, the degrees of security and certainty needed at any given time should, in the final analysis, be assessed from the standpoint of fundamental rights.

The Realization on Interaction in Cognitive Science Network Studies

Abstract: This paper deals with the research of the realization interaction in the Finnish Virtual University's network-based studies of cognitive science in the autumn 2001. This research examines the independent study of cognitive science which occurs through a network and the face-toface study that takes place in cooperation in a group and the study that occurs in WebCT groups. The research seeks answers to the kind of interaction that promotes network-based studies and what causes a lack of interaction. The data was collected by questionnaires and observation. The results indicated that students considered interaction with the teacher and other students to be more binding than self-directed study. The expectations and biases of students did not always correspond to the objectives of studies and thus have prevented functional interaction in a network. (Author) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. The Realization of Interaction in Cognitive Science Network Studies PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY

Use of Different Trading Environments Around Interim Earnings Announcements on the Helsinki Stock Exchange

Abstract: This paper tests the hypothesis that an anticipated information event (e.g. interim earnings announcement) affects the use of trading venues. Data from the Helsinki Stock Exchange are used where an upstairs market co-exists with an anonymous downstairs market. Trades are classified also as in-house trades and externalised trades. In this study, evidence is found that before the announcement event, the proportion of cross-broker trading in the downstairs market increases compared with trading in this mode during a non-announcement period. Correspondingly in-house trades in the upstairs market tend to decrease before the announcement. After the announcement upstairs trading recovers. Furthermore, the empirical findings show that the use of cross-broker trades in the downstairs market is negatively related to the trading activity and intraday price volatility during the pre-announcement period. After the announcement especially the volatility association changes resulting in increased downstairs trading with high volatility.

The Solver Learning Environment for Solving Mathematical Word Problems: Pupils’ Discussions

Abstract: This paper describes the Solver Learning Environment developed for mathematical word problem-solving. Solver was produced for specific research purpose. The paper also presents the methodological solutions of the present study. To collect data, a teaching experiment was arranged in 1995 at the Kaukajarvi School in the city of Tampere, Finland. The participants of the study (N=66) were fifteen years old. Empirical group comparison methods were used in the study. During the teaching experiment, group A studied mathematical word problem-solving in the technology-based Solver Learning Environment. Group B studied the same material with conventional teaching methods, using only pencil-and-paper. The control group did not take part in the problem-solving lessons; they just participated in the tests. Several tests were arranged to measure the mathematical word problem-solving skills of the pupils and to evaluate their mathematical abilities. This paper examines the pupils’ discussions and their attitudes towards discussions in the Solver Learning Environment.