This study examines young people’s social representations of intercultural encounters. The study is based on qualitative material collected in 2023 during researcher-facilitated arts-based workshops with 13- to 19-year-olds. The research was conducted in North Savo, Finland. The participants, residing in the Northern Savo area, represented three cultural backgrounds: Finnish residents and displaced people originating from the Middle East and Ukraine. In workshops, participants created 45 visual artworks accompanied by written reflections on their perceptions of meeting people from different cultures. We employed a content analysis to examine the drawings and texts from the perspective of the social representations approach. The analysis produced three distinct social representations reflecting young people’s perceptions on encountering people from different cultures: Positive Representations of Encounters, Apprehensive Representations of Encounters, and Idealized Representations of Encounters. The findings reveal how the social representations of intergroup encounters constructed by young people from different cultural backgrounds differ from each other. Finally, we discuss the importance of social representations of intercultural encounters in shaping the perceptions of past and potential future intercultural encounters. The study contributes to research on intercultural encounters by employing the social representations approach and shifting the focus from representations of groups to representations of the encounter itself.
Tree growth modelling and predictions are essential components of forest planning and ecological research. Airborne laser scanning data can provide detailed information about tree crowns, where primary photosynthesis happens. The aim of this study was to investigate, whether intercepted solar radiation received by tree crowns, modelled using drone-based Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data, can be used as an indicator of competition in individual tree growth models instead of traditional competition variables such as basal area or basal area of larger trees. The analysis was based on repeated field measurements and a single acquisition of drone-based laser scanning data at the time of first field measurement. Nonlinear mixed-effects models were developed to predict individual tree stem volume growth. While crown metrics, such as crown volume and crown surface area, did not improve model performance compared to model based solely on field-measured variables, information about direct solar radiation based on ray tracing and tree crown information led to the best-fitting model. These results suggest that drone-based LiDAR measurements can provide such measurements of crown metrics and light availability that are both practically feasible and physiologically justified, and lead to better model fit than the traditional field measurement-based approaches.
Background End-user participation in developing health and social care (HSC) information systems (ISs) can improve usability and adoption, but its effect depends on how input is acted upon. Although many clinicians and social care professionals are willing to participate, they report few meaningful opportunities. Developers’ perspectives remain underexplored; we examined their experiences. Methods In 2024, we conducted a web-based survey in Finland—widely regarded as a forerunner in implementing HSC ISs—among software developers employed by the five largest vendors (n = 266). The questionnaire covered collaboration with end users and client organizations, participation methods, and practices for integrating user perspectives into development. Three researchers thematically analyzed responses to two open-ended questions on reasons for end-user dissatisfaction with HSC IS development. Results Most respondents (81 %) reported collaborating with end users at least to some extent; those in product management more frequently (77 %) than other roles (41–65 %). While 92 % indicated their organization is interested in end-user feedback, only 44 % believed users know how and to whom to provide it. Common participation methods included online portals (74 %), feedback gathered during training (64 %), requirements workshops (58 %), usability testing (55 %), designated clinician representatives for IS development (54 %), and site visits (44 %). Open-ended responses most frequently attributed end-user dissatisfaction to vendor resource prioritization, national requirements overriding usability improvements, insufficient communication about whether and when suggestions will be implemented, technical constraints, and the absence of established collaboration structures. Conclusions HSC IS developers expressed willingness to incorporate end-user needs but perceived constraints from national and organizational priorities that limit usability improvements. To enhance end-user satisfaction, development processes should offer earlier, clearer, and better-targeted opportunities for participation; specify channels and timelines for submitting feedback; explain how input is balanced against competing requirements; and communicate decisions and rationales back to users.
Purpose Dupuytren contracture (DC) is a common benign fibroproliferative hand disorder, causing progressive flexion contractures of the finger joints. DC is a chronic condition with no definitive cure, and treatment is primarily surgical, although percutaneous options also exist. We assessed the safety of DC treatments by analyzing national compensation claims. Methods This retrospective registry study included all compensation claims related to the treatment of DC submitted to the Finnish Patient Insurance Center between 2010 and 2023. The number of filed and compensated claims, the types of treatment injuries claimed, and the proportion of avoidable injuries were analyzed. The national incidence of claimed treatment injuries was calculated using annual procedure volumes. Injury avoidability was assessed retrospectively by expert review. Results During the 14-year study period, 54 compensation claims were filed following treatment for DC, corresponding to an incidence of 4.0 claimed injuries per 1,000 operations. The most frequently reported injuries were nerve injuries, tendon injuries, infections, and recurrent contractures. Of the 54 claims, 20 resulted in compensation, most commonly for nerve injuries, tendon injuries, amputations, and infections. Based on the retrospective assessment, 29.6% of the cases were considered avoidable. Conclusions The number of claims and compensated treatment injuries was low in relation to the total number of procedures performed. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.
Customer education in sales (CEd) is an emerging research area, yet the literature remains fragmented across multiple fields with inconsistent terminology and conceptualizations. This fragmentation has hindered the development of cumulative knowledge and left fundamental questions about CEd’s effectiveness, mechanisms, and theoretical foundations unanswered. We conduct a systematic literature review of 42 journal articles, examining CEd research across four dimensions: (1) industry contexts and business settings, (2) delivery modes and their outcomes, (3) mechanisms and boundary conditions, and (4) the application of pedagogical theories. Our analysis reveals that across seven distinct delivery modes, CEd generally produces positive, sales-supporting outcomes, such as customer loyalty. Frontline interactions are the most studied mode, while formal programs show the strongest return on investment. However, significant gaps remain: B2C research predominates, direct financial outcomes are understudied, and few studies engage with pedagogical theory. We offer several avenues for future research.
