Finnish Groups Research Articles

Dynamics of Collaboration: The Case of Finnish and American Aerosol Research Groups

Science has been said to be both a highlycompetitive and highly cooperative af-fair (Hull, 1988: 286). Scientists form in-formal alliances, use each other’s re-search results, and disseminate theirown results through scientific interac-tion. Cooperation between rivals in thefield of research and development workhas been studied by management scien-tists (e.g.,von Hippel, 1987; Sinha C Dickson, 1996;Teichert, 1997). Their interest has fo-cused on predicting the success of jointresearch ventures or informal know-howtrading, using quantitative cost-benefitmodels. Their conclusions stress impor-tant factors for starting a collaboration,such as the observation that “comple-mentary skills and resources appear tobe the most important factor influenc-ing a firm’s decision to participate in ajoint research venture” (Sinha &Cusumano, 1991:1098). These studiesare based on interviews with the man-agement staff only. The interactions be-tween the collaborators or rivals are notdescribed or analyzed.Previous studies on research collabo-ration have examined questions, suchas, how one can measure research col-laboration, what factors or sources en-courage the formation of research col-laborations, and what kind of effectsdoes collaboration have on productivityand on the impact of joint research (Katz& Martin, 1997). Multiple-author publi-cations (e.g., Meadows & O’Connor,1971), physical proximity of collabora-tors (e.g., Kraut

Attitudes to prioritization in selected health care activities

The aim of this study was to measure attitudes to health care prioritization in various Finnish population groups. Three study groups were established: 1) the general public (n=4260); 2) politicians (n=1427); and 3) medical and social work professionals (n=1055).The following background data were obtained: sex, year of birth, marital status, number of children, education, profession, personal income, self‐perceived health, and how subjects viewed their own future and whether they were satisfied with their lives. Information on activities involving prioritization of health service was elicited by presenting a list of 16 health care activities. Respondents evaluated these activities as 1) more important than average, 2) of average importance, or 3) less important than average (indicated as numbers 1‐3).The response rate was 59.3%, and 57.2% (n=3858) of the original sample was accepted for analysis. The politicians and profes‐sionals showed almost identical attitudes. All groups prioritized treatment of life‐threatening diseases among children. The general public prioritized high‐tech surgery more highly than professionals or politicians. Alternative medicine and cosmetic surgery were the two least important activities. All groups agreed about prioritization of serious diseases among children, care of dying patients, prevention, surgery which helps people to perform their everyday tasks, and home care for the disabled elderly. Professionals and politicians prioritized mental health more highly than the population. The general public prioritized intensive care for premature babies with a low birth weight (less than 800 g). Professionals prioritized family planning more highly than politicians and the population. The results resemble those obtained in Britain, indicating that attitudes towards priorities in health are similar between Britain and Finland, and that the respondents' professions determine attitudes more strongly than does cultural background.

The Role of Culture, Violence, and Personal Factors Affecting Dream Content

The impact of culture, violent environment, gender, and age on dream content was studied among 205 children in three groups: a Palestinian group living in a violent environment (n = 80), and Palestinian (n = 45) and Finnish (n = 80) groups living in peaceful areas. They were matched for age (7-12) and gender. The method used was a 7-day dream diary in which the participants recorded the dreams they recalled every morning. Results showed that living in a violent environment affected dream content more than did culture and personal factors. The results confirmed our hypothesis that a violent and dangerous environment was associated with mundane, intensive, and vivid dreams incorporating persecution and aggression themes. As an indication of individualistic versus collective dream characteristics, results showed that the dreams of the Palestinian children from Gaza incorporated more "external scenes" of anxiety, whereas the Finnish children's dreams had more "inner anxiety scenes."

Attitudes to cuts in expenditure and increased fees in health care

The aim of this postal questionnaire study was to measure attitudes to cuts and increased fees in health care in various Finnish population groups. Four groups were identified: a population sample of 2000 subjects, aged 18–70 y; a random sample of 1500 medical doctors of working age; a random sample of 1000 nurses of working age; and a sample of 2200 politicians involved in health and social care administration, mostly at the municipal level (altogether 6700 subjects). The main questionnaire included, among other things, the following questions: (1) Which of 18 specified medical activities at the primary health care level could be cut without causing severe harm to the population? (2) For which of 13 specified medical activities should clients pay at least 50% of the real cost? All the groups indicated the greatest willingness to cut expenditure on health education, occupational health sevices, hygienee inspection, substance abuse care, rehabilitation services for war veterans, and family planning. All the groups were least willing to make cuts in home care for disabled and elderly people, maternity services and clinics for under-fives. Most respondents in all groups felt that the activities for which clients should pay at least 50% of the cost were visits to physicians, occupational health services and dental services, whereas clinics for under-fives and home care for disabled and elderly persons should be kept free of charge. As a conclusion, primary health care and prevention of diseases for small children, mothers, the elderly and disabled persons, were prioritised by all the groups.

Population Studies in Northern Sweden

The North-Swedish population is a mixture of Finnish, Saamish and Central-Swedish ethnic groups. We have studied the Finnish and Saamish admixture by means of genetic markers in 23 North-Swedish subpopulations. The Finnish influence was estimated using the transferrin genes B0-1, DCHI and C3 and the enzyme gene SOD1*2, and markers for Saamish influence were the blood group gene ABO*A2, the serum group gene GC*1F and the enzyme gene 6PGD*C. In the subpopulations the Finnish influence (admixture) varied between 0 and 84% and the Saamish influence between 0 and 34%. The Saamish influence was strongest in the western and northern parts of the area. In the northern part of the area, between 1/4 and 1/3 of the gene pool of the present-day population may be Saamish in origin. The Finnish influence was strongest in the northern and northeastern parts of the area. In the subpopulations along the Finnish border, between 60 and 80% of the gene pool may be Finnish in origin. Significant correlations were found between the Saamish marker genes and between the Finnish marker genes. Due to geographical overlapping of Finnish and Saamish influence, significant correlations were also found between Finnish and Saamish marker genes. The geographical pictures of Saamish and Finnish influence in northern Sweden showed a fair agreement with the expectations derived from historical knowledge. Although a substantial part of the genetic heterogeneity of the North-Swedish population is ethnic in origin, it is obvious that founder effect and genetic drift also have played an important role.

Metabolic epidemiology of colon cancer: fecal mutagens in healthy subjects from rural Kuopio and urban Helsinki, Finland

Fecal mutagenic activity and dietary pattern of rural and urban Finnish population groups with distinct risk for the development of colon cancer were studied in a low-risk population in rural Kuopio and an intermediate-risk population in urban Helsinkii. The average daily intake of protein and fat was the same in the two groups but the frequency of consumption of whole-grain cereals and whole-grain bread, as well as the amount of fiber from the bread were higher in Kuopio as compared to Helsinki. Fecal samples collected for 2 days were incubated under anaerobic conditions at 37°C for 96 h, extracted with hexane: peroxide-free diethyl ether, partially purified on a silica Sep-Pak cartridge, and assayed for mutagenic activity using the Salmonella typhimurium/mammalian microsome system. The fecal mutagenic activity was observed with the tester strains TA98 and TA100 with and without microsomal activation in both the population groups. The percentage of samples showing fecal mutagenic ratio greater than 3 with TA98 and TA100 with microsomal activation, was higher in volunteers from Helsinki than in Kuopio.

Comparison between Ayrshire, Friesian and Finnish cattle dairy cows on home - produced feeds

An experiment with Ayrshire(Ay), Friesian (Fr) and Finnish cattle(Fc) animals on home produced feeds under same kind of conditions is conducted at North Savo Experimental Station in the years 1979-87. The test animals (40 Ay, 40 Fr, 16 Fc) was taken by random sampling when they were calves. One half of the animals of each race receives silage-grain feeding, the other half hay-grain-urea feeding. The growth rate of the calves was equal in the beginning but later on the Friesian animals grew fastest and the Finnish cattle animals most slowly. The average milk yield of the first lactation year was at the same level in the Friesian groups and in the Ayrshire hay-group. The first milk yield of the Ayrshire silage-group was a little lower than of those mentioned before and clearly lower in the Finnish cattle groups. The milk yields were a consequence of the feed consumptions of the animals. In the second lactation year the feed consumptions and the milk yields have increased distinctly. There are not to be found differences in the conception rates depending on races.

Serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations of Finns and Finnish Lapps. I. Basic data.

Serum cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) concentrations have been studied in six Finnish population groups in South and East Finland and in one group of Finnish Lapps in North Finland. Altogether 11626 Finns, aged 15 or above and 828 Lapps of all ages were studied. Serum cholesterol and TG concentrations of the Lapp children were higher in the age group 0--4 than in the age groups 5-9 and 10-14. Mean serum cholesterol of girls aged 0-9 was higher than that of the boys. The sex and age dependence of mean lipid values in the adults were in several respect similar to those observed in other industrialized populations. The serum cholesterol mean rose with age to reach a maximum in age group 50-59 in men, in age group 60-69 in women. Among the adults, women had lower cholesterol means than men only in age groups 30-39 and 40-49. The serum TG distribution was markedly skewed, and logarithmic transformation brought it closer to normal. Maximal log(TG) values (greater than 12 hours' fast) were attained by men aged 30-39 and by women aged 60-69. Men had considerably higher TG levels than women in middle-aged groups. Of all the sex and age groups studied, the men aged 30-39 had the most skewed cholesterol frequency distribution. Up to this age variability in men's cholesterol values were also increased, as reflected by an increasing S.D. As to women the cholesterol S.D. increased until the age of 60-69. In all the age groups above 14 years, the variability of TG values was larger in men than in women, but it was not age dependent.