University of Lapland

About: University of Lapland is a education organization based out in Rovaniemi, Finland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Arctic & Context (language use). The organization has 665 authors who have published 1870 publications receiving 39129 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Rovaniemi & Lapin yliopisto.

Characteristics and Geographical Distribution of the Changes in Scots Pine Needle Surfaces in Finnish Lapland and the Kola Peninsula

Abstract: Effects of air pollution and a variety of other environmental factors on physicochemical characteristics of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) needle surfaces were studied in an extensive field investigation, comprising 114 sample plots (356 trees) on transect lines extending from the Nikel and Monchegorsk industrial complexes on the Kola Peninsula, Russia, across Finnish Lapland. Preliminary results from some of the investigated physicochemical parameters are presented in this paper. Condition of epicuticular wax structures, occurrence of particle deposition, fungal hyphae and insect damage on needle surfaces were investigated quantitatively under a scanning electron microscope, and needle wettability was measured in terms of contact angles. The investigated parameters showed great variability in terms of pollution, climate and ecology. Both the epicuticular wax erosion rate and needle wettability changed significantly faster during the first year on pines in Kola Peninsula, Russia (transect 1, extending to Monchegorsk) than on pines in Finland (transects 1,2,3,7). Site dependent effects, e. g., variation in ecological conditions of the sample plot, could be diminished by investigating the rate of change in the physicochemical parameter of pine needle surface during the first year, instead of using absolute values from different needle age classes.

Investigating the Effect of Orientation and Visual Style on Touchscreen Slider Performance

Abstract: Sliders are one of the most fundamental components used in touchscreen user interfaces (UIs). When entering data using a slider, errors occur due e.g. to visual perception, resulting in inputs not matching what is intended by the user. However, it is unclear if the errors occur uniformly across the full range of the slider or if there are systematic offsets. We conducted a study to assess the errors occurring when entering values with horizontal and vertical sliders as well as two common visual styles. Our results reveal significant effects of slider orientation and style on the precision of the entered values. Furthermore, we identify systematic offsets that depend on the visual style and the target value. As the errors are partially systematic, they can be compensated to improve users' precision. Our findings provide UI designers with data to optimize user experiences in the wide variety of application areas where slider based touchscreen input is used.

Laptop Computers and Wireless University Campus Networks: Is Flexibility and Effectiveness Improved?.

Abstract: This study explores whether university students find that laptop computers and networks increase flexibility and effectiveness of studying. Special attention has been paid to non-traditional students who have extra commitments, such as taking care of children or term-time employment. Questionnaire data was collected from students who had the opportunity to acquire a laptop partly sponsored by the university. The data was analysed quantitatively. Results show that students with children particularly benefited from the support the laptops and networks provided. However, term-time employment did not influence students' experiences of flexibility or effectiveness in studying. Since it is increasingly common for university students to have other commitments along with their studies, this information can be utilised when planning teaching and student support practices.

Variation and long-term trends in the timing of breeding of different Eurasian populations of Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus

Abstract: Changes in the timing of reproduction of birds should provide good evidence of large-scale climate fluctuations. However, geographically separate populations of one species may respond variably. We analyzed egg laying dates of nine Eurasian populations of the Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus collected between 1969 and 2010. The timing of breeding differed greatly with latitude: the populations in the north started later, a breeding pair produced only one brood per season and the breeding season was shorter. Both yearly minimum and median first-egg laying dates advanced with increases in local air temperature, but the more northern populations had started at much lower temperatures, which was probably caused by the stimulation of photoperiod. The effects of large-scale climatic patterns (North Atlantic Oscillation, East Atlantic, Scandinavia/Eurasia-1) on the first-egg laying date were low. The egg laying dates advanced over the observed decades in all populations, although at a variable rate. Seven selected populations with the most complete data for the period 1986–2010 revealed an advancement of median first-egg laying dates of 0.11 days/year and 1.31 days/°C. The effect on minimum first-egg laying dates was smaller. The changes observed in two populations in Ural and western Siberia were smaller than those found in more westerly populations (Finland, central Europe). The timing of the start of breeding is probably less affected by climate change than the timing of spring migration, documented by European ornithological stations.

The segmentation of the demand for ferry travel – a case study of Stena Line

Abstract: In an era of fierce competitive struggle about clients, enterprises seek information on characteristics of the main customer segments purchasing their services and goods. This knowledge is crucial to the marketing efforts of enterprises. The purpose of this research is to understand the changes in demand due to the diversity of travel motives. The study identifies distinct segments of travellers due to their motives of ferry travel, i.e., tourism, visiting relatives, work-/business-related and also three other segments with a mixture of these motives. It is also shown that each of these segments has a different profile in terms of their behavioural and socio-demographic characteristics. This article presents the results of surveys carried out among passengers travelling by Stena Line ferries on the route from Gdynia (Poland) to Karlskrona (Sweden), as well as the results of a literature review and ‘desk research’ of available statistics. The method of realisation of representative study can be use...