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.

Investigating the Influence of External Car Displays on Pedestrians' Crossing Behavior in Virtual Reality

Abstract: Focusing on pedestrian safety in the era of automated vehicles, we investigate the interaction between pedestrians and automated cars. In particular, we investigate the influence of external car displays (ECDs) on pedestrians' crossing behavior, and the time needed to make a crossing decision. We present a study in a high-immersion VR environment comparing three alternative car-situated visualizations: a smiling grille, a traffic light style indicator, and a gesturing robotic driver. Crossing at non-designated crossing points on a straight road and at a junction, where vehicles turn towards the pedestrian, are explored. We report that ECDs significantly reduce pedestrians' decision time, and argue that ECDs support comfort, trust and acceptance in automated vehicles. We believe ECDs might become a valuable addition for future vehicles.

A particle based simulation model for glacier dynamics

Abstract: A particle-based computer simulation model was developed for investigating the dynamics of glaciers. In the model, large ice bodies are made of discrete elastic parti- cles which are bound together by massless elastic beams. These beams can break, which induces brittle behaviour. At loads below fracture, beams may also break and reform with small probabilities to incorporate slowly deforming viscous behaviour in the model. This model has the advantage that it can simulate important physical processes such as ice calv- ing and fracturing in a more realistic way than traditional continuum models. For benchmarking purposes the deforma- tion of an ice block on a slip-free surface was compared to that of a similar block simulated with a Finite Element full- Stokes continuum model. Two simulations were performed: (1) calving of an ice block partially supported in water, simi- lar to a grounded marine glacier terminus, and (2) fracturing of an ice block on an inclined plane of varying basal fric- tion, which could represent transition to fast flow or surging. Despite several approximations, including restriction to two- dimensions and simplified water-ice interaction, the model was able to reproduce the size distributions of the debris ob- served in calving, which may be approximated by univer- sal scaling laws. On a moderate slope, a large ice block was stable and quiescent as long as there was enough of friction against the substrate. For a critical length of frictional con- tact, global sliding began, and the model block disintegrated in a manner suggestive of a surging glacier. In this case the fragment size distribution produced was typical of a grinding

Predation on artificial ground nests in relation to forest fragmentation, agricultural land and habitat structure

Abstract: The impacts of forest fragmentation, agricultural land and habitat structure on depredation of artificial ground nests were studied in the cultivated area in central Finland and in the forest dominated area in Finnish Lapland. The overall predation rate did not differ between the regions. The overall predation rate was also independent of landscape characteristics forest patch size and the distance to patch edge. However, nest predation was clearly affected by the agricultural land since the robbing rate in forest edges was higher near farmlands than further away. This effect was caused by avian predators which proportional importance in predation was higher in the agricultural landscape than in the forest landscape. In both regions, depredation correlated positively with high numbers of pine and spruce. This can be mainly explained by the preference of predators over coniferous forest habitat as a living or hunting area.

Animism, personhood and the nature of reality: Sami perspectives

Abstract: This article is an exploration and description of the inter-subjective character of human and non-human relationships. Recent research into animism shows that at present there is emerging a new ontology that breaks down barriers between human beings and animals, culture and nature. This new animism predominantly discusses how human persons relate to the world. The culture of many indigenous groups is animistic meaning that nature is alive and there is a social space for humans and non-humans to interrelate to each other. In this article, an attempt is made to describe in detail how Sami reindeer herders perceive their environment and how the interplay and dialogue with nature is integrated in the overall activities of Sami within this relationship.A living being co-exists within certain environmental conditions and is dependent on all other beings with which she/he is in relationship. In this sense one can speak about ‘inter-subjectivity’ meaning direct subject-to-subject sharing of presence. It will be shown that the relationship between humans and non-humans is highly context-bound. Furthermore, the relationship between humans and non-humans within the Sami cultural circles is based on the mutual caretaking, respect and conditioning within different groups. For instance, the reindeer give themselves to humans and humans give shelter to them. According to the Sami world view, there are many different kinds of persons, such as humans, animals and spirits. To be a person in an animistic sense is a very flexible way of existence and one has to learn to know what the different personhoods are about. In this context, it is important to understand the role and function of the landscape and certain places and features within the landscape in specific areas. This is because within these places, communication, and what will be referred to as mythic discourse, takes place between humans and non-humans, and this dialogue is known to be of benefit to human beings in their daily lives and activities.