Showing papers by "University of Lapland published in 2004"

Application of the cross wavelet transform and wavelet coherence to geophysical time series

Abstract: Many scientists have made use of the wavelet method in analyzing time series, often using popular free software. However, at present there are no similar easy to use wavelet packages for analyzing two time series together. We discuss the cross wavelet transform and wavelet coher- ence for examining relationships in time frequency space be- tween two time series. We demonstrate how phase angle statistics can be used to gain confidence in causal relation- ships and test mechanistic models of physical relationships between the time series. As an example of typical data where such analyses have proven useful, we apply the methods to the Arctic Oscillation index and the Baltic maximum sea ice extent record. Monte Carlo methods are used to assess the statistical significance against red noise backgrounds. A software package has been developed that allows users to perform the cross wavelet transform and wavelet coherence (http://www.pol.ac.uk/home/research/waveletcoherence/). As we are interested in extracting low s/n ratio signals in time series we discuss only CWT in this paper. While CWT is a common tool for analyzing localized intermittent os- cillations in a time series, it is very often desirable to ex- amine two time series together that may be expected to be linked in some way. In particular, to examine whether re- gions in time frequency space with large common power have a consistent phase relationship and therefore are sug- gestive of causality between the time series. Many geophys- ical time series are not Normally distributed and we suggest methods of applying the CWT to such time series. From two CWTs we construct the Cross Wavelet Transform (XWT) which will expose their common power and relative phase in time-frequency space. We will further define a measure of Wavelet Coherence (WTC) between two CWT, which can find significant coherence even though the common power is low, and show how confidence levels against red noise back- grounds are calculated. We will present the basic CWT theory before we move on to XWT and WTC. New developments such as quanti- fying the phase relationship and calculating the WTC sig- nificance level will be treated more fully. When using the methods on time series it is important to have solid mecha- nistic foundations on which to base any relationships found, and we caution against using the methods in a "scatter-gun" approach (particularly if the time series probability density functions are modified). To illustrate how the various meth- ods are used we apply them to two data sets from meteo- rology and glaciology. Finally, we will provide links to a MatLab software package.

Diversity of polyporous fungi (Polyporaceae) in northern boreal forests: effects of forest site type and logging intensity

Abstract: The effects of forest site type and logging intensity on polyporous fungi were studied in subxeric, mesic and herb-rich forests and spruce mires in northern Finland. The species richness of polypores did not follow the fertility gradient of the site types, but was connected with the amount and diversity of coarse woody debris (CWD). The total number of species, and the numbers of indicator and threatened species were equal in subxeric pine forests and in more fertile spruce-dominated stands. The species composition of pine-dominated forests differed conspicuously from that of spruce-dominated site types. The total number of species was not affected by logging intensity, but no virgin forest species or threatened species were found on the sites where the number of cut stumps exceeded 150 stumps ha−1. Increasing logging intensity decreased the number of polypore observations, indicating reduced substrate availability. The results stress the importance of protecting not only fertile spruce-dominated stands, ...

Seasonal development of the properties and composition of landfast sea ice in the Gulf of Finland, the Baltic Sea

Abstract: [1] The seasonal development of the structure, salinity, and stable oxygen isotopic composition (δ18O) of landfast sea ice was studied during the winter seasons 1999–2001 in the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea. The main focuses were on the seasonal and the interannual variability in ice properties and composition and on the contribution of meteoric ice to sea ice mass balance. Results provide a first statistical description of the seasonal evolution of sea ice in mild ice climate conditions. The ice has a characteristic structure with an upper granular ice layer, composed almost exclusively of superimposed ice and snow-ice, averaging at 20–35% of the total ice thickness. The remaining is composed of columnar or intermediate granular columnar ice, depending on growth conditions. While salinity shows a uniform profile through the ice, δ18O shows lower values in the surface because of meteoric ice formation. The thin ice cover is susceptible to changes in atmospheric conditions, and rapid changes in ice salinity are connected to changes in the ice thermal regime and flooding. The contribution of meteoric ice varied from 0 to 35% (by mass), depending on season and year. Superimposed ice formation is a recurring process and significantly contributed to ice growth (up to 20% by mass), especially late in the season during snowmelt-freeze cycles. Liquid precipitation also cause formation of intermittent superimposed ice layers at these latitudes. The contribution of meteoric ice to sea ice mass balance is largely dependent on the amount and timing of snow accumulation and timing of snowmelt-freeze processes, which all showed large year-to-year variation. The conditions presented here may start to occur at higher latitudes if global warming continues.

A multi‐attribute approach to understanding image of a theme park

Abstract: This study investigates the image of a theme park by determining the relative importance of factors tourists rely on in their evaluations of a theme park and their assessments of that theme park in satisfying these motives. The analytical framework of the importance‐ performance technique is used in analyzing the data. The SantaPark in Rovaniemi, Finland serves as the study setting. Study results and their implications are discussed.

Geographic variations in anthropogenic drivers that influence the vulnerability and resilience of social-ecological systems.

Abstract: Across the circumpolar North large disparities in the distribution of renewable and nonrenewable resources, human population density, capital investments, and basic residential and transportation infrastructure combine to create recognizable hotspots of recent and foreseeable change. Northern Fennoscandia exemplifies a relatively benign situation due to its current economic and political stability. Northern Russia is experiencing rapid, mostly negative changes reflecting the general state of crisis since the collapse of the Soviet Union. North America enjoys a relatively stable regulatory structure to mitigate environmental degradation associated with industry, but is on the verge of approving massive new development schemes that would significantly expand the spatial extent of potentially affected social-ecological systems. Institutional or regulatory context influences the extent to which ecosystem services are buffered against environmental change. With or without a warming climate, certain geographic areas appear especially vulnerable to damages that may threaten their ability to supply goods and services in the near future. Climate change may exacerbate this situation in some places but may offer opportunities to enhance resilience in the long term.

Oceanic and atmospheric transport of multiyear El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) signatures to the polar regions

Abstract: [1] Using Monte-Carlo Singular Spectrum Analysis (MC- SSA) and Wavelet Transform (WT) we separate statistically significant components from time series and demonstrate significant co-variance and consistent phase differences between ice conditions and the Arctic Oscillation and Southern Oscillation indices (AO and SOI) at 2.2, 3.5, 5.7 and 13.9 year periods. The 2.2, 3.5 and 5.7 year signals detected in the Arctic are generated about three months earlier in the tropical Pacific Ocean. In contrast, we show that the 13.9 year signal propagates eastward from the western Pacificasequatorialcoupledwaves(ECW,0.13–0.15ms 1 ), and then as fast boundary waves (1–3 ms 1 ) along the western margins of the Americas, with a phase difference of about 1.8–2.1 years by the time they reach the Arctic. Our results provide evidence of dynamical connections between high latitude surface conditions, tropical ocean sea surface temperatures mediated by tropical wave propagation, the wintertime polar vortex and the AO. INDEX TERMS: 1620 Global Change: Climate dynamics (3309); 3309 Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics: Climatology (1620); 0312 Atmospheric Composition andStructure: Air/seaconstituent fluxes (3339, 4504); 4504 Oceanography: Physical: Air/sea interactions (0312); 4522 Oceanography: Physical: El Nino. Citation: Jevrejeva, S., J. C. Moore, and A. Grinsted (2004), Oceanic and atmospheric transport

Towards roll-to-roll fabrication of electronics, optics, and optoelectronics for smart and intelligent packaging

Abstract: Embedding of optoelectrical, optical, and electrical functionalities into low-cost products like packages and printed matter can be used to increase their information content. These functionalities make also possible the realization of new type of entertaining, impressive or guiding effects on the product packages and printed matter. For these purposes, components like displays, photodetectors, light sources, solar cells, battery elements, diffractive optical elements, lightguides, electrical conductors, resistors, transistors, switching elements etc. and their integration to functional modules are required. Additionally, the price of the components for low-end products has to be in cent scale or preferably below that. Therefore, new, cost-effective, and volume scale capable manufacturing techniques are required. Recent developments of liquid-phase processable electrical and optical polymeric, inorganic, and hybrid materials - inks - have made it possible to fabricate functional electrical, optical and optoelectrical components by conventional roll-to-roll techniques such as gravure printing, embossing, digital printing, offset, and screen printing on flexible paper and plastic like substrates. In this paper, we show our current achievements in the field of roll-to-roll fabricated, optics, electronics and optoelectronics. With few examples, we also demonstrate the printing and hot-embossing capabilities of table scale printing machines and VTT Electronic's 'PICO' roll-to-roll pilot production facility.

Classification of Legal Families Today - Is it Time for Memorial Hymn?

Abstract: Classifying and grouping legal systems is said to be an elemental part of macro-comparative law. The author asks if it still is feasible to continue this macro-project or has it come time to play a memorial hymn now. Traditional comparative law has constructed manifold groupings and classifications, but according to the author the pieces of the puzzle have largely remained the same. However, the new strands of comparative law are saying that attempts to draw a map of the world’s legal systems are non-neutral biased projects because all classifications, categories, taxonomies and groupings are fundamentally flawed. The controversy between the tradition and critical or post-modern comparative law seems to end up in a state of epistemic confusion. What should be done in order to overcome the present deadlock of this debate? Two novel sketches for classification of the legal systems are presented and critically analyzed in the article. According to the author both of these are a clear indication of some inborn epistemic difficulties that macro-comparative law a priori seems to contain.

Optical properties of melting landfast sea ice and underlying seawater in Santala Bay, Gulf of Finland

Abstract: [1] In March and early April 2000, spectral irradiance measurements were conducted on 10 occasions above and beneath the landfast sea ice in Santala Bay near the entrance to the Gulf of Finland. The measurements included the spectral albedo and transmittance of the sea ice and the downwelling and upwelling spectral irradiance at different depths in the water column. Spectral albedos integrated over 400–700 nm photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) were in the range of 0.16–0.58, with most common values between 0.33 and 0.42. Maximum transmittances for the ice are found close to 570 nm, decreasing toward shorter and longer wavelengths. Correspondingly, diffuse attenuation coefficients for both seawater and sea ice agree well with earlier measurements in the Baltic Sea and have a PAR attenuation of 0.4–0.7 and 3.1–4.7 m−1, respectively. During the measurement period the ice reached its maximum thickness of 28 cm and thereafter started to decay. The sea ice was snow free; however, the formation of high-scattering melt/freeze layers above the freeboard largely increased the surface reflectance. Discharged meltwater was retained beneath the sea ice, forming a low-salinity layer which only disappeared as the ice ablated in April. Compared with many parts of the Arctic, the sea ice and seawater in Santala Bay contain higher amounts of dissolved and particulate matter, which are indicated by high absorption at wavelengths below 700 nm and thus potentially increase the melt rate of the sea ice.

An Estimation of the Potential Fluxes of Nitrogen Phosphorus, Cadmium and Lead from Sea Ice and Snow in the Northern Baltic Sea

Abstract: The amount of nutrients (N and P) and trace elements (Cd and Pb) accumulated and incorporated into the snow and sea ice cover was assessed for the northern Baltic Sea, resulting in an estimate for the potential flux of nutrients and trace elements to underlying waters during sea ice and snow melt. From the atmosphere the sea ice and snow cover accumulate less than 3% of the annual N and P load, and about 5% of the annual Cd and Pb load to the Bothnian Bay. The atmospheric deposition of nutrients to the northern Baltic Sea has declined considerably during the last decade. The total accumulation in the snow and ice, from the atmosphere and seawater, make up to 6% of the annual nutrient and up to 40% of the annual Cd and Pb load into the Bothnian Bay. Thus sea ice plays an important, but still poorly understood role inchemical cycling, transformations, and budgets. The fate of substances accumulated and released from snow and sea ice merit further investigation, especially if sea ice is a source and a platform for transformation of accumulated substances, thus indirectly affecting their toxicity and/or bioavailability before they are released to the water column.

Effects of opportunistic predation on anti-predator behavioural responses in a guild of ground foragers

Abstract: We studied factors that affect prey selection by a generalist predator that opportunistically attacks prey species, and the associated inter- and intra-specific responses of prey to this type of predation. Our model system was a guild of ground-foraging birds that are preyed upon by magpies (Pica pica) during the breeding season. We found that magpies attacked up to 12 species during three consecutive breeding seasons. The overall capture success was estimated to be 4.9%. Magpies tended to attack from the air, targeting solitary prey, either on the ground or flying. Inter-specific prey responses to the risk of magpie predation included a reduction in the mean number of species occupying a foraging patch when magpies were present and a decrease in the distance between heterospecific neighbours. Intra-specific responses to magpie predation varied between species that were subject to different attack rates. Preferentially attacked prey enhanced their risk responses (increase in scanning time and scanning rate in the presence of magpies) relative to those species attacked in proportion to their abundance (increase only in scanning rate with magpies). Species attacked infrequently, relative to their abundance, showed no antipredator response. The probability of being attacked, rather than mortality rate, appears to be the factor to which prey species respond.

The Quaternary glacial record of the Colombian Andes

Abstract: The onset of glaciations in the Colombian Andes as recorded by the start of glaciofluvial sedimentation in the inter-montane Bogota basin is dated near the Gauss/Matuyama polarity reversal at 2.6 Ma; episodes of increased glacial activity occurred since ca. 0.8 Ma. Moraines and till beds in the higher parts of the Andes record a series of glacier fluctuations of Late Quaternary age. Radiocarbon dates of organic-rich sediments and palaeosols found associated with glacial landforms/deposits in mountain ranges exceeding 3600 m altitude in the Eastern Cordillera, in combination with evidence provided by the radiocarbon-dated palaeosol sequence in the region, place glacial events between probably 43 ka and 38 ka, 36 to 31 ka, 23.5 to 19.5 ka, 18.0 to 15.5 ka 13.5 to 12.5 ka, and most probably 11 to 10 ka (radiocarbon years BP). Independent chronologies for the glacial and palynological records of the Eastern Cordillera suggest a close match between stadials characterised by low upper Andean forest limits and glacier advances in the surrounding high-mountain ranges. Major glacier advances during the Middle Weichselian seem to have responded to cool and humid climatic conditions. The Late Weichselian Glacial Maximum (LGM) is recorded as a two-fold glaciation maximum just before 19.5 and 15.5 ka, with glaciers advancing some 1200 to 1100 m below their present limits; during the cooling events, the forest limit was depressed by 1100 to 900 m, implying a drop in mean annual temperature of ca. 8 to 6 °C, respectively. Interstadial conditions prevailed around 18 ka, when temperatures rose considerably to values up to 4 °C higher than during the preceding and following stadial periods. Mountain ranges below 4000 m altitude were deglaciated at ca. 12.5 ka following a Late-glacial advance of cirque glaciers. Younger Dryas cooling is well-registered in the palynological record; glaciers in the highest parts of the Andes seem to have responded to the cooling by extending to elevations some 700 m lower than at present. The glacial record registers a high climatic variability in the northern Tropical Andes during the Late Quaternary period.

Comparison of analytical results for chloride, sulfate and nitrate obtained from adjacent ice core samples by two ion chromatographic methods.

Abstract: The anions chloride, sulfate and nitrate in nearly 500 pairs of ice core samples from the same depth were determined in a 121 m long ice core from Svalbard. The analyses were performed separately using an ion chromatograph with Dionex AS9 and AS15 columns with Na2CO3 and NaOH eluents. Results showed a small (5–6 µg l−1) but statistically significant difference in mean concentrations for chloride and sulfate but not for nitrate. 2% of the data indicate real differences in concentrations across the ice core. Despite these differences ion information in ice core layers are comparable for ice core paleoclimate and environmental studies even though analyses are made using two different procedures.

How useful are urban island ecosystems for defining invader patterns

Abstract: Biological invasions are pervasive, alter ecosystem sustainability, and can reduce native biological diversity (Vitousek et al. 1996). Ecologists are scrambling to predict where and when new invaders may strike (Lodge 1993; Fagan et al. 2002). Urbanization has created a number of new ecological niches which, after remaining empty for some time, are increasingly being colonized or invaded by vertebrates (Erz 1966). One of the major disputes in evolutionary biology concerns the rate at which species evolve to occupy new niches (Diamond 1986). How quickly are animals adapting to these new habitats and what makes them successful colonists?

Trust as capital: the foundation of management

Abstract: Trust is an old idea and it has come back again. We believed that proper management and information systems, a correctly designed organizational structure, and well-oiled processes will solve our problems and facilitate us to attain our objectives. We were wrong because we forgot people's deep psychological needs for trust and fear of mistrust. This chapter argues that trust as capital is more important for people and organizations than financial capital as money and human capital as knowledge. Strong trust helps people to make better use of small amount of money and knowledge than mistrust can of great amount of money and knowledge. If human interaction is based on strong mistrust no amount of money or knowledge help people to settle down their differences. The message of this chapter is that the stronger people trust each other the easier it is for management to lead, practitioners to develop, and employees to work efficiently and creatively. With trust conflicts can be solved without troubles or bad aftertaste. Customers are likely to favor companies in which they trust. Trust opens possibilities, mistrust closes them. It is the greatest challenge for management and people dealing with information systems.

Citizens' trust in ministries

Abstract: Citizens have many roles in our contemporary liberal democracies. From these roles one is to trust or mistrust governmental agencies. They must trust them, at least to a certain extent, because they experience in their own lives deleterious consequences of badly-designed public policies. They must distrust them, again to a certain extent, because a fear of distrust keeps policy-makers on alert about how their policy ideas might change public opinion. This chapter is the infrequent empirical analysis of citizens' trust and mistrust in ministries as central policy-makers in Finland. It is based on the national survey. It shows that citizens are suspicious of most of the ministries in terms of developing public services, regulation, financial transfers, and citizen orientation. According to the empirical results ministries should be aware of public failure and quickly rethink their priorities and policy-styles. This chapter stresses the need to reinvent policy-making and its political culture. Democracy will severely deteriorate if public authorities will not take on this challenge.

Impact of Corporate Information Releases on Ownership - Evidence with Various Investor Types

Abstract: This study focuses on non-institutional trading behavior around interim earnings announcements in the emerging market. We separate the stock trading activity of Finnish households into five trading classes and compare the results to institutional trading. Data covering the years 1996-2000 shows that earnings news triggers trading in every trading class. We also find some evidence that actively trading individuals especially (compared to passively trading ones) show increased buying and selling activity before the event compared to the non-event period. After the event we find that Finnish households in the most active investor class tend to follow a contrarian strategy, especially selling after good news. This adds to previous evidence by Grinblatt and Keloharju (2000b). Furthermore, the performance of the active investor classes is superior to that of passive ones. Finally, the institutional trading class is clearly less affected by the announcement than the active investor classes, suggesting that institutions utilize a broader information set than individual investors.

Information and law in the constitutional state

Abstract: In the modern constitutional state, law and justice should coincide closely. This is one of the fundamental requirements of democracy. The principal way in which we pursue, articulate and realize justice is to draft and enact legislation. Laws are codes that impose obligations in various ways. Juridification is however decreasing our possibilities to know and understand the law. Without a good systematics legislation is like a jungle where we do have difficulties to orientate. The authors main message in this paper is to point out the importance of information law as a new tool when planning information systems for egovernment. If we keep a close eye on the position of information networks as a part of society’s infrastructure, the legal assessment of information systems and electronic services is unavoidable. And this assessmenti is ineffective without modern legal dynamic systematics.

Use of interim earnings information on the helsinki stock exchange

Abstract: In this paper we study how the market uses the information on current and past interim earnings. Our hypothesis is that investors focus on a comparison of year-to-year changes in interim earnings. We provide further evidence on how the market acts in the face interim earnings announcements in an emerging market. The data is based on the Finnish market covering the years 1992-2002. We found, consistent with Ball and Bartov [1], evidence that investors underestimate the magnitude of the serial correlation in interim earnings. The results suggest that investors use, at least in part, a seasonal random walk model when forming earnings expectations.

Security concerns of legally sensitive Web portals

Abstract: In contemporary information society the use of fundamental rights is increasingly focused on the use of Web information systems (IS). Therefore, legal aspects regulating users' rights and commitments should be given more attention in the development of IS. Mainly the section data protection and securing the integrity of IS systems should mainly be considered. The purpose of This work is to present research in progress and to add some security related observations. As a result This work gives some different viewpoints for the design and implementation of legally sensitive Web portals and builds up a concept to improve such systems.

Information and law in the constitutional state

Abstract: In the modern constitutional state, law and justice should coincide closely. This is one of the fundamental requirements of democracy. The principal way in which we pursue, articulate and realize justice is to draft and enact legislation. Laws are codes that impose obligations in various ways. Juridification is however decreasing our possibilities to know and understand the law. Without a good systematics legislation is like a jungle where we do have difficulties to orientate. The authors main message in this paper is to point out the importance of information law as a new tool when planning information systems for egovernment. If we keep a close eye on the position of information networks as a part of society's infrastructure, the legal assessment of information systems and electronic services is unavoidable. And this assessmenti is ineffective without modern legal dynamic systematics.