Search advertising for small Finnish tourism company in Russian Internet – Experimental study: Google AdWords versus Yandex.Direct

Yandex is the dominant search engine in Russia, followed by the world leader Google. This study focuses on the performance differences between the two in search advertising in the context of tourism, by running two identical campaigns and measuring the KPI’s, such as CPA (cost-per-action), on both campaigns. Search engine advertising is a new and fast changing form of advertising, which should be studied frequently in order to keep up with the changes. Research was done as an experimental study in cooperation with a Finnish tourism company and the data is gathered from the clickstream and not from questionnaires, which is recommended method by the literature. The results of the study suggests that Yandex.Direct performed better in the selected niche and that the individual campaign planning for Yandex.Direct and Google AdWords is an important part of the optimization of search advertising in Russia.

Decentralized management of organic household wastes in the Kathmandu Valley using small-scale composting reactors

The sustainable management of municipal solid waste in the Kathmandu Valley has always been a challenging task. Solid waste generation has gone rapidly high in the Kathmandu Valley over the last decade due to booming population and rapid urbaniza-tion. Finding appropriate landfill sites for the disposal of solid wastes generated from the households of the Kathmandu Valley has always been a major problem for Nepalese government. 65 % of total generated wastes from the households of Nepal consist of organic materials. As large fractions of generated household wastes are organic in na-ture, composting can be considered as one of the best sustainable ways to recycle organ-ic wastes generated from the households of Nepal. Model Community Society Development (MCDS), a non-governmental organization of Nepal carried out its small-scale project in five households of the Kathmandu Valley by installing composting reactors. This thesis is based on this small-scale project and has used secondary data provided by MCDS Nepal for carrying out the study. Proper man-agement of organic wastes can be done at household levels through the use of compost-ing reactors. The end product compost can be used as soil conditioners for agricultural purposes such as organic farming, roof-top farming and gardening. The overall average organic waste generation in the Kathmandu Valley is found to be 0,23 kg/person/day and the total amount of organic household wastes generated in the Kathmandu Valley is around 210 Gg/yr. Produced composts from five composting reac-tors contain high amount of moistures but have sufficient amount of nutrients required for the fertility of land and plant growth. Installation of five composting reactors in five households have prevented 2,74 Mg of organic wastes going into the landfills, thus re-ducing 107 kg of methane emissions which is equivalent to 2,7 Mg of carbondioxide.

Alpha- and gamma-melanocyte stimulating hormones in obesity. A study of the key central areas of metabolic regulation

The melanocortin system is an important regulator of feeding, energy metabolism,and cardiovascular function and it consists of the pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) derived melanocyte stimulating hormones (α-, β- and γ-MSH) and their endogenous melanocortin receptors, MC1R to MC5R. In the hypothalamus, α-MSH reduces food intake, and increases energy expenditure and sympathetic tone by binding to MC4R. Mutations affecting the MC4R gene lead to obesity in mammals. On the other hand, the metabolic effects of MC3R stimulation using agonists such as the endogenously expressed γ-MSH have been less extensively explored. The main objective of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of increased melanocortin tone in key areas of metabolic regulation in the central nervous system (CNS) in order to investigate the sitespecific roles of both α-MSH and γ-MSH. The aim was to stereotaxically induce local overexpression of single melanocortin peptides using lentiviral vectors expressing α-MSH (LVi-α-MSH-EGFP) and γ-MSH (LVi-γ-MSH-EGFP). The lentiviral vectors were shown to produce a long-term overexpression and biologically active peptides in cell-based assays. The LVi-α-MSHEGFP was targeted to the arcuate nucleus in the hypothalamus of diet induced obese mice where it reduced weight gain and adiposity independently of food intake. When the nucleus tractus solitarus in the brainstem was targeted, the LVi-α-MSH-EGFP treatment was shown to cause a small decrease in adiposity, which did not impact weight development. However, the α-MSH treatment increased heart rate, which was attenuated by adrenergic receptor blockade indicative of increased sympathetic activity. The LVi-γ-MSH-EGFP was targeted to the hypothalamus where it decreased fat mass in mice eating the standard diet, but the effect was abated if animals consumed a high-fat Western type diet. When the diet induced obese mice were subjected again to the standard diet, the LVi-γ-MSH-EGFP treated animals displayed increased weight loss and reduced adiposity. These results indicate that the long-term central anti-obesity effects of α-MSH are independent of food intake. In addition, overexpression of α-MSH in the brain stem efficiently blocked the development of adiposity, but increased sympathetic tone. The evidence presented in this thesis also indicates that selective MC3R agonists such as γ-MSH could be potential therapeutics in combination with low fat diets.

Value-based Reference Marketing in a Small Process Industry Software and Service Company

This master’s thesis was done for a small company, Vipetec Oy, which offers specialized technological services for companies mainly in forest industry. The study was initiated partly because the company wants to expand its customer base to a new industry. There were two goals connected to each other. First was to find out how much and what kind of value current customers have realized from ATA Process Event Library, one of the products that the company offers. Second was to determine the best way to present this value and its implications for future value potential to both current and potential customers. ATA helps to make grade and product changes, starting after machine downtime, and recovery from production break faster for customers. All three events sometimes occur in production line. The faster operation results to savings in time and material. In addition to ATA Vipetec also offers other services related to development of automation and optimization of controls. Theoretical part concentrates on the concept of value, how it can be delivered to customers, and what kind of risk customer faces in industrial purchasing. Also the function of reference marketing towards customers is discussed. In the empirical part the realized value for existing customers is evaluated based on both numerical data and interviews. There’s also a brief case study about one customer. After that the value-based reference marketing for a target industry is examined through interviews of these potential customers. Finally answers to the research questions are stated and compared also to the theoretical knowledge about the subject. Results show that those customers’ machines which use the full service concept of ATA usually are able to save more time and material than the machines which use only some features of the product. Interviews indicated that sales arguments which focus on improved competitive status are not as effective as current arguments which focus on numerical improvements. In the case of potential customers in the new industry, current sales arguments likely work best for those whose irregular production situations are caused mainly by fault situations. When the actions of Vipetec were compared to ten key elements of creating customer references, it was seen that many of them the company has either already included in its strategy or has good chances to include them with the help of the results of this study.

Working fluid selection and design of small-scale waste heat recovery systems based on organic Rankine cycles

Demand for the use of energy systems, entailing high efficiency as well as availability to harness renewable energy sources, is a key issue in order to tackling the threat of global warming and saving natural resources. Organic Rankine cycle (ORC) technology has been identified as one of the most promising technologies in recovering low-grade heat sources and in harnessing renewable energy sources that cannot be efficiently utilized by means of more conventional power systems. The ORC is based on the working principle of Rankine process, but an organic working fluid is adopted in the cycle instead of steam. This thesis presents numerical and experimental results of the study on the design of small-scale ORCs. Two main applications were selected for the thesis: waste heat re- covery from small-scale diesel engines concentrating on the utilization of the exhaust gas heat and waste heat recovery in large industrial-scale engine power plants considering the utilization of both the high and low temperature heat sources. The main objective of this work was to identify suitable working fluid candidates and to study the process and turbine design methods that can be applied when power plants based on the use of non-conventional working fluids are considered. The computational work included the use of thermodynamic analysis methods and turbine design methods that were based on the use of highly accurate fluid properties. In addition, the design and loss mechanisms in supersonic ORC turbines were studied by means of computational fluid dynamics. The results indicated that the design of ORC is highly influenced by the selection of the working fluid and cycle operational conditions. The results for the turbine designs in- dicated that the working fluid selection should not be based only on the thermodynamic analysis, but requires also considerations on the turbine design. The turbines tend to be fast rotating, entailing small blade heights at the turbine rotor inlet and highly supersonic flow in the turbine flow passages, especially when power systems with low power outputs are designed. The results indicated that the ORC is a potential solution in utilizing waste heat streams both at high and low temperatures and both in micro and larger scale appli- cations.

Production, isolation and characterization of bioactive peptides with antihypertensive properties from rapeseed and potato protein

Consumers’ increasing awareness of healthiness and sustainability of food presents a great challenge to food industry to develop healthier, biologically active and sustainable food products. Bioactive peptides derived from food proteins are known to possess various biological activities. Among the activities, the most widely studied are antioxidant activities and angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity related to blood pressure regulation and antihypertensive effects. Meanwhile, vast amounts of byproducts with high protein content are produced in food industry, for example potato and rapeseed industries. The utilization of these by-products could be enhanced by using them as a raw material for bioactive peptides. The objective of the present study was to investigate the production of bioactive peptides with ACE inhibitory and antioxidant properties from rapeseed and potato proteins. Enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation were utilized for peptide production, ultrafiltration and solid-phase extraction were used to concentrate the active peptides, the peptides were fractionated with liquid chromatographic processes, and the peptides with the highest ACE inhibitory capacities were putified and analyzed with Maldi-Tof/Tof to identify the active peptide sequences. The bioavailability of the ACE inhibitory peptides was elucidated with an in vitro digestion model and the antihypertensive effects in vivo of rapeseed peptide concentrates were investigated with a preventive premise in 2K1C rats. The results showed that rapeseed and potato proteins are rich sources of ACE inhibitory and antioxidant peptides. Enzymatic hydrolysis released the peptides effectively whereas fermentation produced lower activities.The native enzymes of potato were also able to release ACE inhibitory peptides from potato proteins without the addition of exogenous enzymes. The rapeseed peptide concentrate was capable of preventing the development of hypertension in vivo in 2K1C rats, but the quality of rapeseed meal used as raw material was found to affect considerably the antihypertensive effects and the composition of the peptide fraction.

The long, small war : kokemukset epäsymmetrisestä sodasta Irakissa vuosina 2003–2008

Tämän tutkielman tarkoitus on selvittää, miten epäsymmetrinen sodankäynti Irakissa vuosina 2003–2008 vaikutti Yhdysvaltain armeijaan ja merijalkaväkeen. Päätutkimuskysymykseen vas-tataan selvittämällä historian kokemuksien vaikutus siihen miten Irakin sotaan valmistauduttiin. Tarkoituksena on myös selvittää miten epäsymmetrinen sota ilmeni vuosien kuluessa ja miten amerikkalaiset kehittivät varusteita, koulutusta, organisaatioita ja doktriiniaan sodan kuluessa. Lähdeaineistona on käytetty englanninkielistä kirjallisuutta. Suurin osa aineistosta on operaati-oon osallistuneiden sotilaiden ja siviilien kirjoittamia. He ovat kirjoittaneet joko omien koke-muksien pohjalta tai sitten teoksissa on haastateltu tapahtumia todistaneita avainhenkilöitä. Li-säksi on käytetty sotilasammatillisissa lehdissä julkaistuja artikkeleita, asevoimien ohjesääntöjä ja eri puolustushallinnon sekä riippumattomien tutkimuslaitoksien tekemiä raportteja. Opinnäyt-teiden osuus on vähäinen ja haastatteluja ei ole käytetty. Tutkimusmenetelmä on aineistoanalyy-siin perustuva kirjallisuustutkimus. Työssä korostuu lähdekritiikki ja lähteiden vertailu, koska ajoittain lähteissä esitetyt tiedot ovat kirjoittajien omia näkemyksiä historiallisista tapahtumista. Vuonna 2003 alkanut Irakin sota kehittyi vuosia kestäneeksi taisteluksi epäsymmetrisesti toimi-vaa vihollista vastaan. Irakin sodan kynnyksellä operaation suunnittelussa ei huomioitu hyökkä-yksen jälkeistä vakauttamisvaihetta riittävällä tarkkuudella. Seurauksena oli se että Irakin ajau-tumista sekasortoon Baghdadin valtauksen jälkeen ei voitu estää. Liittouman päätös lakkauttaa Irakin omat turvallisuuskoneistot vaikeutti tilannetta entisestään. Vuoden 2003 lopulla Irak oli ajautumassa etnisten ja uskonnollisten ristiriitojen vaikuttamaan kumoukselliseen sotaan. Seu-raavat vuodet Yhdysvallat pyrki viholliskeskeisellä strategialla kukistamaan epäsymmetrisesti toimivat kumoukselliset taistelijat. Keskeisinä tutkielman havaintoina on, että Yhdysvalloilla on paljon kokemusta epäsymmetri-sestä sodankäynnistä. Historian kokemuksista johtuvien asenteiden ja vuonna 2003 vaikuttaneen poliittisen ilmapiirin vuoksi Irakin sodan miehitysvaihetta ei suunniteltu kunnolla. Yhtenäisen strategian puute aiheutti ongelmia sodan alkuvuosina. Tänäkin aikana osa joukoista toteutti on-nistuneesti vastakumouksellisen sodan operaatioita, jotka vaikuttivat uuden doktriinin syntyyn. Doktriinin avaintekijä oli uusi ohjesääntö FM 3-24, jonka opit olivat keskeisessä asemassa vuonna 2007 alkaneissa operaatioissa. Näiden operaatioiden menestyksen taustalla oli monia tekijöitä, mutta myös amerikkalaisten uudenlainen ymmärrys siitä miten taistella epäsymmetri-sesti toimivaa vihollista vastaan. Sotakokemukset synnyttivät uusia varusteita, koulutusta ja organisaatiomuutoksia. Suurin vaikutus on kuitenkin siinä, miten vuoteen 2008 mennessä epä-tavanomaisen sodankäynnin merkitys asevoimien tehtävissä oli noussut aiempaa tärkeämmäksi.

To Divide or Not to Divide; MicroRNAs and Small Compounds as Modulators of Mitosis

Mitosis is under the stringent quality control of the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). However, in cancer cells this control can fail, leading to excessive cellular proliferation and ultimately to the formation of a tumor. Novel cancer cell selective therapies are needed to stop the uncontrolled cell proliferation and tumor growth. The aim of the research presented in this thesis was to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) that could play a role in cancer cell proliferation as well as low molecular weight (LMW) compounds that could interfere with cell division. The findings could be used to develop better cancer diagnostics and therapies in the future. First, a high-throughput screen (HTS) was performed to identify LMW compounds that possess a similar chemical interaction field as rigosertib, an anti-cancer compound undergoing clinical trials. A compound termed Centmitor-1 was discovered that phenocopied the cellular impact of rigosertib by affecting the microtubule dynamics. Next, another HTS aimed at identifying compounds that would target the Hec1 protein, which mediates the interaction between spindle microtubules and chromosomes. Perturbation of this connection should prevent cell division and induce cell death. A compound termed VTT-006 was discovered that abrogated mitosis in several cell line models and exhibited binding to Hec1 in vitro. Lastly, using a cell-based HTS two miRNAs were identified that affected cancer cell proliferation via Aurora B kinase, which is an important mitotic regulator. MiR-378a-5p was found to indirectly suppress the production of the kinase whereas let-7b showed direct binding to the 3’UTR of Aurora B mRNA and repressed its translation. The miRNA-mediated perturbation of Aurora B induced defects in mitosis leading to abnormal chromosome segregation and induction of aneuploidy. The results of this thesis provide new information on miRNA signaling in cancer, which could be utilized for diagnostic purposes. Moreover, the thesis introduces two small compounds that may benefit future drug research.

Oheispalvelukulujen vaikutus tilintarkastuskuluihin suomalaisissa small cap -pörssiyrityksissä

Tutkielmassa tarkastellaan tilintarkastusyhtiöiden tarjoamien oheispalveluiden käytön vaikutuksia laskutettuihin tilintarkastuskuluihin suomalaisissa small cap -pörssiyrityksissä. Tarkoituksena on ottaa selvää, ovatko palveluista laskutetut kulut riippumattomia toisistaan.

Analyzing the Effects of the New Renewable Energy Policy in Russia on Investments into Wind, Solar and Small Hydro Power

This thesis presents an analysis of recently enacted Russian renewable energy policy based on capacity mechanism. Considering its novelty and poor coverage by academic literature, the aim of the thesis is to analyze capacity mechanism influence on investors’ decision-making process. The current research introduces a number of approaches to investment analysis. Firstly, classical financial model was built with Microsoft Excel® and crisp efficiency indicators such as net present value were determined. Secondly, sensitivity analysis was performed to understand different factors influence on project profitability. Thirdly, Datar-Mathews method was applied that by means of Monte Carlo simulation realized with Matlab Simulink®, disclosed all possible outcomes of investment project and enabled real option thinking. Fourthly, previous analysis was duplicated by fuzzy pay-off method with Microsoft Excel®. Finally, decision-making process under capacity mechanism was illustrated with decision tree. Capacity remuneration paid within 15 years is calculated individually for each RE project as variable annuity that guarantees a particular return on investment adjusted on changes in national interest rates. Analysis results indicate that capacity mechanism creates a real option to invest in renewable energy project by ensuring project profitability regardless of market conditions if project-internal factors are managed properly. The latter includes keeping capital expenditures within set limits, production performance higher than 75% of target indicators, and fulfilling localization requirement, implying producing equipment and services within the country. Occurrence of real option shapes decision-making process in the following way. Initially, investor should define appropriate location for a planned power plant where high production performance can be achieved, and lock in this location in case of competition. After, investor should wait until capital cost limit and localization requirement can be met, after that decision to invest can be made without any risk to project profitability. With respect to technology kind, investment into solar PV power plant is more attractive than into wind or small hydro power, since it has higher weighted net present value and lower standard deviation. However, it does not change decision-making strategy that remains the same for each technology type. Fuzzy pay-method proved its ability to disclose the same patterns of information as Monte Carlo simulation. Being effective in investment analysis under uncertainty and easy in use, it can be recommended as sufficient analytical tool to investors and researchers. Apart from described results, this thesis contributes to the academic literature by detailed description of capacity price calculation for renewable energy that was not available in English before. With respect to methodology novelty, such advanced approaches as Datar-Mathews method and fuzzy pay-off method are applied on the top of investment profitability model that incorporates capacity remuneration calculation as well. Comparison of effects of two different RE supporting schemes, namely Russian capacity mechanism and feed-in premium, contributes to policy comparative studies and exhibits useful inferences for researchers and policymakers. Limitations of this research are simplification of assumptions to country-average level that restricts our ability to analyze renewable energy investment region wise and existing limitation of the studying policy to the wholesale power market that leaves retail markets and remote areas without our attention, taking away medium and small investment into renewable energy from the research focus. Elimination of these limitations would allow creating the full picture of Russian renewable energy investment profile.

Design and Drive-Cycle Based Analysis of Direct-Driven Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine for a Small Urban Use Electric Vehicle

A direct-driven permanent magnet synchronous machine for a small urban use electric vehicle is presented. The measured performance of the machine at the test bench as well as the performance over the modified New European Drive Cycle will be given. The effect of optimal current components, maximizing the efficiency and taking into account the iron loss, is compared with the simple id=0 – control. The machine currents and losses during the drive cycle are calculated and compared with each other.