Operointialueen huomioiminen risteilylaivan sähkötaseessa

Kiristyvät päästörajoitukset ja muuttuvat säädökset ovat muokanneet laivanrakennusalaa energiatehokkaampaan ja ympäristöystävällisempään suuntaan. Energiatehokkuutta tutkitaan yksittäisistä laiteratkaisuista laivan operointitasolle asti. Tämä työ on tehty osana STX Finland Oy:n laivojen energiatehokkuuden tutkimusta. Työn tarkoituksena oli uudistaa laivojen sähkötaseen laskennassa käytettyjä kuormitustaulukoita ja kehittää operointialueen vaikutuksia huomioiva laskentamenetelmä. Uudistuksen taustalla oli tieto operointialueiden ympäristöolosuhteiden vaikutuksista sähkönkulutukseen ja työn tarkoituksena oli mahdollistaa suunnittelun myöhäisemmässä vaiheessa tehtävä operointialuekohtainen sähkönkulutustarkastelu. Sähkötaseen laskenta haluttiin vastaamaan enemmän todellista sähkönkulutusta. Aikaisemmin käytetystä mitoitusperusteisesta laskennasta haluttiin siirtyä todellisempien kuormien arviointiin laitteiden ja muuntajien turhan ylimitoituksen poistamiseksi. Kuormitustaulukoiden toimintaa yksinkertaistettiin ja taulukoista tehtiin helpommin mukautuvia, jotta erilaisten operointitilanteiden vertailu olisi mahdollista. Perinteisen taselaskennan rinnalle kehitettiin operointialueiden vaikutuksia huomioivat laskentataulukot. Uudet taulukot huomioivat komponenttien sähkönkulutuksen prosentuaalisen muutoksen operointialueittain sekä yksilöllisesti että kulutusryhmittäin. Laskentataulukoiden yhteyteen tehtiin kuvaajat havainnollistamaan alueittaisia kulutuseroja.

Upconverting diagnostics: Multiplex assays utilizing upconversion luminescence technology

Conventional diagnostics tests and technologies typically allow only a single analysis and result per test. The aim of this study was to propose robust and multiplex array-inwell test platforms based on oligonucleotide and protein arrays combining the advantages of simple instrumentation and upconverting phosphor (UCP) reporter technology. The UCPs are luminescent lanthanide-doped crystals that have a unique capability to convert infrared radiation into visible light. No autofluorescence is produced from the sample under infrared excitation enabling the development of highly sensitive assays. In this study, an oligonucleotide array-in-well hybridization assay was developed for the detection and genotyping of human adenoviruses. The study provided a verification of the advantages and potential of the UCP-based reporter technology in multiplex assays as well as anti-Stokes photoluminescence detection with a new anti- Stokes photoluminescence imager. The developed assay was technically improved and used to detect and genotype adenovirus types from clinical specimens. Based on the results of the epidemiological study, an outbreak of adenovirus type B03 was observed in the autumn of 2010. A quantitative array-in-well immunoassay was developed for three target analytes (prostate specific antigen, thyroid stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone). In this study, quantitative results were obtained for each analyte and the analytical sensitivities in buffer were in clinically relevant range. Another protein-based array-inwell assay was developed for multiplex serodiagnostics. The developed assay was able to detect parvovirus B19 IgG and adenovirus IgG antibodies simultaneously from serum samples according to reference assays. The study demonstrated that the UCPtechnology is a robust detection method for diverse multiplex imaging-based array-inwell assays.

Printed platforms for paper-based analytical applications

Paper-based analytical technologies enable quantitative and rapid analysis of analytes from various application areas including healthcare, environmental monitoring and food safety. Because paper is a planar, flexible and light weight substrate, the devices can be transported and disposed easily. Diagnostic devices are especially valuable in resourcelimited environments where diagnosis as well as monitoring of therapy can be made even without electricity by using e.g. colorimetric assays. On the other hand, platforms including printed electrodes can be coupled with hand-held readers. They enable electrochemical detection with improved reliability, sensitivity and selectivity compared with colorimetric assays. In this thesis, different roll-to-roll compatible printing technologies were utilized for the fabrication of low-cost paper-based sensor platforms. The platforms intended for colorimetric assays and microfluidics were fabricated by patterning the paper substrates with hydrophobic vinyl substituted polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) -based ink. Depending on the barrier properties of the substrate, the ink either penetrates into the paper structure creating e.g. microfluidic channel structures or remains on the surface creating a 2D analog of a microplate. The printed PDMS can be cured by a roll-ro-roll compatible infrared (IR) sintering method. The performance of these platforms was studied by printing glucose oxidase-based ink on the PDMS-free reaction areas. The subsequent application of the glucose analyte changed the colour of the white reaction area to purple with the colour density and intensity depending on the concentration of the glucose solution. Printed electrochemical cell platforms were fabricated on paper substrates with appropriate barrier properties by inkjet-printing metal nanoparticle based inks and by IR sintering them into conducting electrodes. Printed PDMS arrays were used for directing the liquid analyte onto the predetermined spots on the electrodes. Various electrochemical measurements were carried out both with the bare electrodes and electrodes functionalized with e.g. self assembled monolayers. Electrochemical glucose sensor was selected as a proof-of-concept device to demonstrate the potential of the printed electronic platforms.

Minimizing Circulating Current in Parallel-Connected Photovoltaic Inverters

Parallel-connected photovoltaic inverters are required in large solar plants where it is not economically or technically reasonable to use a single inverter. Currently, parallel inverters require individual isolating transformers to cut the path for the circulating current. In this doctoral dissertation, the problem is approached by attempting to minimize the generated circulating current. The circulating current is a function of the generated common-mode voltages of the parallel inverters and can be minimized by synchronizing the inverters. The synchronization has previously been achieved by a communication link. However, in photovoltaic systems the inverters may be located far apart from each other. Thus, a control free of communication is desired. It is shown in this doctoral dissertation that the circulating current can also be obtained by a common-mode voltage measurement. A control method based on a short-time switching frequency transition is developed and tested with an actual photovoltaic environment of two parallel inverters connected to two 5 kW solar arrays. Controls based on the measurement of the circulating current and the common-mode voltage are generated and tested. A communication-free method of controlling the circulating current between parallelconnected inverters is developed and verified.

Tuoteportfolion hallinnointiprosessin erityispiirteet lääketeollisuusyrityksessä – tapaustutkimus

Tämän pro gradu -tutkielman tarkoituksena oli selvittää, miten lääketeollisuusyritys toteuttaa tuoteportfolioidensa hallinnointia ja miten tämän caseyrityksen portfolioprosessi vastaa kirjallisuuden näkemystä tuoteportfolion hallinnoinnista. Tutkimusongelmaa lähestyttiin tapaustutkimuksella caseyrityksen portfolioprosessista, ja tätä prosessia verrattiin kirjallisuuden näkemykseen aiheesta. Empiiristä aineistoa kerättiin pääosin teema- ja lomakehaastatteluilla caseyrityksen projektin avainhenkilöiltä. Tutkimuksessa havaittiin portfolioprosessin olevan vaiheittainen toimintamalli, jonka tavoitteena on hankkia mahdollisimman kannattava tuotevalikoima. Caseyrityksen portfolioprosessi vastasi pääosin aiheen teorian kuvaamaa mallia, mutta prosessia ja etenkin karsintakriteereitä monipuolistamalla voidaan tulevaisuudessa saavuttaa parempia tuloksia. Lääketeollisuudella toimialana on tiettyjä ominaispiirteitä, mutta nämä eivät suoraan näy varsinaisessa portfolioprosessissa. Kuitenkin esimerkiksi erityyppisten liiketoimintayksiköiden tarpeet olisi syytä huomioida tuoteportfolion hallinnointiprosessissa.

Nursing students and older people nursing. Towards a future career

The purpose of this two-phased study is to examine the interest of nursing students in choosing a career in older people nursing. First, the scoping phase explores the different premises for choosing older people nursing as a career. Second, the evaluation phase investigates the outcomes of the developed educational intervention involving older people as promoters of choosing a career in older people nursing, factors related to these outcomes, and experiences with educational intervention. The ultimate goal is to encourage more nursing students to choose older people nursing as their career. The scoping phase applies an exploratory design and centres around a descriptive, cross-sectional survey, documentary research and a scoping literature review. The information sources for this phase include 183 nursing students, 101 newspaper articles and 66 research articles. The evaluation phase applies a quasi-experimental design and a pre-post-test design with a non-equivalent comparison group and a post-intervention survey. The information sources for this phase include 87 nursing students and 43 older people. In both phases, statistical and narrative methods are applied in the data analysis. Nursing students neutrally regarded the idea of a career in older people nursing. The most consistent factors related to the nursing students’ career plans in older people nursing were found to be nursing work experience and various educational preparations in the field. Nursing students in the intervention group (n=40) were more interested in older people nursing and had more positive attitudes towards older people than did students in the comparison group (n=36). However, in both groups, the interest that students had at the baseline was associated with the interest at the one-month follow-up. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the students’ knowledge levels about ageing. The nursing students and older people alike highly appreciated participating in the educational intervention. It seems possible to positively impact nursing students and their choices to pursue careers in older people nursing, at least in the short-term. The involvement of older people as promoters of this career choice provides one encouraging alternative for impacting students’ career choices, but additional research is needed.