University of Turku

About: University of Turku is a education organization based out in Turku, Finland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Galaxy. The organization has 16296 authors who have published 45124 publications receiving 1505428 citations. The organization is also known as: Turun yliopisto & Åbo universitet.

The mockers and mocked: comparative perspectives on differentiation, convergence and diversity in higher education

Abstract: Introduction. On diversity, differentiation and convergence (L. Goedegebuure et al.). Theoretical Perspectives. Diversification of higher education: viability and change (B.R. Clark). Homogenization, integration and convergence: the cheshire cats of higher education analysis (G. Neave). Isomorphism in higher education? Towards a theory of differentiation and diversity in higher education systems (F. van Vught). Country Experiences. Diversity and differentiation in the Australian unified national system of higher education (V.L. Meek, A. O'Neill). Diversity within a decentralized higher education system: the case of Canada (G. Jones). The problem of diversification in higher education: countertendencies between divergence and convergence in the Finnish higher education system since the 1950s (O. Kivinen, R. Rinne). Diversity in higher education in Germany: the two-type-structure (U. Teichler). Diversity in the Netherlands (J. Huisman). From equality through equivalence to quality through diversification: changes in the Swedish higher education policy in the 1990s (M. Bauer). Differentiation and diversity in a newly unitary system: the case of the United Kingdom (O. Fulton). Diversification in American higher education: historical patterns and current trends (R.L. Geiger). Conclusion (V.L. Meek et al.).

Attention and cognitive control: Unfolding the dichotic listening story

Abstract: In this article we present a theoretical approach to cognitive control and attention modulation, as well as review studies related to such a view, using an auditory task based on dichotic presentations of simple consonant-vowel syllables. The reviewed work comes out of joint research efforts by the 'Attention-node' at the 'Nordic Center of Excellence in Cognitive Control'. We suggest a new way of defining degrees of cognitive control based on systematically varying the stimulus intensity of the right or left ear dichotic stimulus, thus parametrically varying the degree of stimulus interference and conflict when assessing the amount of cognitive control necessary to resolve the interference. We first present an overview and review of previous studies using the so-called "forced-attention" dichotic listening paradigm. We then present behavioral and neuroimaging data to explore the suggested cognitive control model, with examples from normal adults, clinical and special ability groups.

Genome-wide association analyses for lung function and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease identify new loci and potential druggable targets

Abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by reduced lung function and is the third leading cause of death globally. Through genome-wide association discovery in 48,943 individuals, selected from extremes of the lung function distribution in UK Biobank, and follow-up in 95,375 individuals, we increased the yield of independent signals for lung function from 54 to 97. A genetic risk score was associated with COPD susceptibility (odds ratio per 1 s.d. of the risk score (∼6 alleles) (95% confidence interval) = 1.24 (1.20-1.27), P = 5.05 × 10(-49)), and we observed a 3.7-fold difference in COPD risk between individuals in the highest and lowest genetic risk score deciles in UK Biobank. The 97 signals show enrichment in genes for development, elastic fibers and epigenetic regulation pathways. We highlight targets for drugs and compounds in development for COPD and asthma (genes in the inositol phosphate metabolism pathway and CHRM3) and describe targets for potential drug repositioning from other clinical indications.

An interpersonal circumplex model of children's social goals: links with peer-reported behavior and sociometric status.

Abstract: The objective of the present research was to develop an assessment model for children's social goals. The aims were (a) to fit children's social goals to a circumplex model and to examine links between goals and peer-reported social behaviors (aggression, withdrawal, and prosocial behavior) in a sample of 276 participants (134 girls, 11- to 12-year-olds) and (b) to replicate these findings and examine whether social behavior mediates the relationship between goals and sociometric status in an independent cross-validation sample of 310 participants (143 girls, 11- to 13-year-olds). Results showed a satisfactory fit to the circumplex model and adequate psychometric properties of the goal scales of the new measure, the Interpersonal Goals Inventory for Children. Other findings included significant and meaningful relations between goals and peer-reported behavior. Social behavior mediated the relations between goals and sociometric status.