Morphological and Magnetic Properties of Superparamagnetic Carbon-Coated Fe Nanoparticles Produced by Arc Discharge.

Spherical carbon coated iron particles of nanometric diameter in the 5-10 nm range have been produced by arc discharge at near-atmospheric pressure conditions (using 5-8��10 4 Pa of He). The particles exhibit a crystalline dense iron core with an average diameter 7.4 �� 2.0 nm surrounded by a sealed carbon shell, shown by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected-area diffrac- tion (SAED), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (STEM-EDX) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). The SAED, EDX and EELS results indicate a lack of traces of core oxidized phases showing an efficient protection role of the carbon shell. The magnetic properties of the nanoparticles have been investigated in the 5-300 K temperature range using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). The results reveal a superparamagnetic behaviour with an average monodomain diameter of 7.6 nm of the nanoparticles. The zero field cooled and field cooled (ZFC-FC)magnetization curves show a blocking temperature (TB)at room temperature very suitable for biomedical applications (drug delivery, magnetic resonance imaging-MRI-, hyperthermia).

The mathematics of McTaggart's paradox

Mc Taggart's celebrated proof of the unreality of time is a chain of implications whose final step asserts that the A-series (i.e. the classification of events as past, present or future) is intrinsically contradictory. This is widely believed to be the heart of the argument, and it is where most attempted refutations have been addressed; yet, it is also the only part of the proof which may be generalised to other contexts, since none of the notions involved in it is specifically temporal. In fact, as I show in the first part of the paper, McTaggart's refutation of the A-series can be easily interpreted in mathematical terms; subsequently, in order to strengthen my claim, I apply the same framework by analogy to the cases of space, modality, and personal identity. Therefore, either McTaggart's proof as a whole may be extended to each of these notions, or it must embed some distinctly temporal element in one of the steps leading up to the contradiction of the A-series. I conclude by suggesting where this element might lay, and by hinting at what I believe to be the true logical fallacy of the proof.

Packaging concept development for an assortment of medical device products

Diplomity��n tavoitteena oli kehitt���� Wipak Oy:n valmistamille sterilointipakkauksille tulevaisuuden pakkauskonsepti. Sterilointipakkaukset luokitellaan l����kelaitedirektiivin mukaan lis��tarvikkeiksi luokan 1 l����kelaitteille, ja t��m�� n��k��kulma oli vahvasti mukana konseptin kehityksess��. L��ht��kohtana pakkauskonseptin suunnittelulle oli tuotteiden arvoketjussa, eli pakata tuotteet siten ett�� pakkausten avulla voidaan tuottaa lis��arvoa arvoketjun toimijoille. Tavoitteena oli parantaa pakkausten viestint����, toimivuutta/tehokkuutta toimitusketjussa sek�� vahvistaa br��ndin imagoa myynti- ja kuljetuspakkauksen avulla. L����kinn��lliset laitteet ja tarvikkeet ovat lains����d��nn��n ja normien avulla tarkasti s����deltyj��. N��iden normien vaatimukset asettavat perusteet myynti- ja kuljetuspakkausten kehitt��miselle. T��m��n lis��ksi suunnittelussa on huomioitu asiakkaiden toiveet ja kehitystarpeet. Kirjallisuusosuudessa on keskitytty l����kinn��llisten laitteiden pakkausyksik��iden toimintoihin sek�� niiden kehitysn��kymiin. P����paino on ollut pakkausmerkint��jen ja j��ljitett��vyyden kehitt��misell��, koska tietojen automaattisen tunnistuksen hy��dynt��minen l����kint��laitteiden pakkausten arvoketjussa on kasvava trendi. Manuaalisesti teht��v��t tuotevirtojen kirjaukset ketjun eri toimijoiden osalta lis����v��t riskej�� j��ljitett��vyyden kannalta ja aiheuttavat lis��ty��t�� ja ��� kustannuksia ketjun kaikille osapuolille. Ehdotus uudesta pakkauskonseptista on kehitetty n��iden tietojen pohjalta. Ehdotuksessa on huomioitu lains����d��nn��st�� ja ketjun toimijoilta tulevat tarpeet, sek�� alan tulevaisuuden kehitysn��kym��t. Ehdotetun pakkauskonseptin avulla saadaan lis��tty�� myynti- ja kuljetuspakkausten tehokkuutta, parannettua j��ljitett��vyytt�� ja helpotettu arvoketjun alavirran toimijoiden ty��t�� lis����m��ll�� erillinen sis��pakkaus myyntiyksik��n sis��lle. Ty��ss�� on lis��ksi selvitetty pakkauskonseptin kustannusvaikutukset tuotteiden hintaan. Lopussa on ehdotettu jatkotoimenpiteet suunnitelman implementoimisesta k��yt��nt����n.

Developing markets of energy biomass ��� local and global perspectives

The thesis explores global and national-level issues related to the development of markets for biomass for energy. The thesis consists of five separate papers and provides insights on selected issues. The aim of Paper I was to identify methodological and statistical challenges in assessing international solid and liquid biofuels trade and provide an overview of the Finnish situation with respect to the status of international solid and liquid biofuels trade. We found that, for the Finnish case, it is possible to qualify direct and indirect trade volumes of biofuels. The study showed that indirect trade of biofuels has a highly significant role in Finland and may be a significant sector also in global biofuels trade. The purpose of Paper II was to provide a quantified insight into Finnish prospects for meeting the national 2020 renewable energy targets and concurrently becoming a largescale producer of forest-biomass-based second-generation biofuels for feeding increasing demand in European markets. We found that Finland has good opportunities to realise a scenario to meet 2020 renewable energy targets and for large-scale production of wood-based biofuels. The potential net export of transport biofuels from Finland in 2020 would correspond to 2���3% of European demand. Paper III summarises the global status of international solid and liquid biofuels trade as illuminated by several separate sources. International trade of biofuels was estimated at nearly 1 EJ for 2006. Indirect trade of biofuels through trading of industrial roundwood and material by-products comprises the largest proportion of the trading, with a share of about two thirds. The purpose of Paper IV was to outline a comprehensive picture of the coverage of various certification schemes and sustainability principles relating to the entire value-added chain of biomass and bioenergy. Regardless of the intensive work that has been done in the field of sustainability schemes and principles concerning use of biomass for energy, weaknesses still exist. The objective of Paper V was to clarify the alternative scenarios for the international biomass market until 2020 and identify the underlying steps needed toward a wellfunctioning and sustainable market for biomass for energy purposes. An overall conclusion drawn from this analysis concerns the enormous opportunities related to the utilisation of biomass for energy in the coming decades.

Comparative analysis of different meat traceability systems using multiple criteria and a social network approach

The adoption of a proper traceability system is being incorporated into meat production practices as a method of gaining consumer confidence. The various partners operating in the chain of meat production can be considered a social network, and they have the common goal of generating a communication process that can ensure each characteristic of the product, including safety. This study aimed to select the most appropriate meat traceability system “from farm to fork” that could be applied to Brazilian beef and pork production for international trade. The research was done in three steps. The first used the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) for selecting the best on-farm livestock traceability. In the second step, the actors in the meat production chain were identified to build a framework and defined each role in the network. In the third step, the selection of the traceability system was done. Results indicated that with an electronic traceability system, it is possible to acquire better connections between the links in the chain and to provide the means for managing uncertainties by creating structures that facilitate information flow more efficiently.

Absence of intestinal colonization by vancomycin-resistant enterococci in nonhuman primates

The animal reservoirs of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have important role in the epidemiology of the bacteria and resistant genes. The present work searched fecal samples taken off nonhuman primates for the presence of VRE. Resistance profiles, virulence traits, and genetic variability among enterococci isolates were also analyzed. The samples included Capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella, n=28) and Common marmoset (Callithrix penicillata, n=37) housed in the Primate Center of the University of Bras��lia, Brazil. Most individuals were captive monkeys from the Central-West and South-East regions of Brazil (n=48). We collected rectal swabs and carried out selective isolation followed by multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to identify species and resistance genes. No vanA or vanB-containing enterococci were found. The carriage rates ranged from 1.5% for the VanC-type E. casseliflavus and E. gallinarum until 12.3% (n=8) for Enterococcus faecalis. All E. faecalis isolates showed susceptibility to vancomycin, teicoplanin, ampicillin, gentamicin, and streptomycin. The virulence genes ace and esp were prevalent (100.0%, 87.5%). Multilocus variable number of tandem repeats (MLVA) revealed diversity in the number of repeats among E. faecalis isolates and targets, which was higher for espC, efa5, and efa6. We identified six different MLVA genotypes that were divergent from those described in human beings. Also, they were clustered into two genogroups that showed host-specificity for the species Cebus apella or Callithrix penicillata. In conclusion, no vanA- or vanB-containing enterococci were found colonizing those primate individuals. This finding suggested that the primate individuals investigated in our study are not directly involved in the epidemiological chain of high-level vancomycin-resistant genes vanA or vanB in Brazil. Our study also showed that E. faecalis isolated from nonhuman primates carry virulence traits and have ability to spread their lineages among different individuals.

Learning to Understand the Retailers - The New Approach of a Paperboard Manufacturer

The aim of the study is to expand networking between a packaging material manufacturer and retailers in order to develop products which appeal to brand owners and their customers. The in-built targets are to understand the retailer���s role in the value chain, clarify who makes packaging decision of private label products, and canvass the importance of sustainability. The present value chain of the packaging material manufacturer is reviewed first. It is assumed that sustainability could be a common interest, and The Consumer Goods Forum���s ���A Global Language for Packaging and Sustainability��� report is shortly discussed. The presentation of the most common packaging materials is based on a guide called ���Packaging in the Sustainability Agenda: A Guide for Corporate Decision Makers���. The terms manufacturer���s brand and private label are defined. A retail value chain with emphasis on the role of customers as partners is introduced. The study area is the Nordic countries, and the information about Nordic retailers was provided first by desk research. The interviews were made in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. The study method is qualitative: the intention was to get initial insights, ideas and understandings. The results are compiled under the headings: sustainability, private labels, cooperation and packaging development. Also the reasons for good profitability of private labels are explained. Sustainability or responsibility is a key driver for innovation in the retail sector. Private labels have become brands. The ways of cooperation between a packaging material manufacturer and a retailer could be education and training. Packaging development is of great interest to retailers and they are willing to contribute.

Fluorescence-based imaging of cellular defect in lysinuric protein intolerance (LPI)

Fluoresenssiperusteiset kuvantamismenetelm��t lysinurisen proteiini-intoleranssin (LPI) soluh��iri��n tutkimuksessa Lysinurinen proteiini-intoleranssi on suomalaiseen tautiperint����n kuuluva autosomaalisesti peit��tyv��sti periytyv�� sairaus, jonka aiheuttaa kationisten aminohappojen kuljetush��iri�� munuaisten ja ohutsuolen epiteelisolujen basolateraalikalvolla. Aminohappojen kuljetush��iri�� johtaa moniin oirei��siin, kuten kasvuh��iri����n, osteoporoosiin, immuunij��rjestelm��n h��iri��ihin, oksenteluun ja runsaspro��teiinisen ravinnon nauttimisen j��lkeiseen hyperammonemiaan. LPI-geeni SLC7A7 (solute carrier family 7 member 7) koodaa y+LAT1 proteiinia, joka on basolateraali��nen kationisten ja neutraalien aminohappojen kuljettimen kevyt ketju, joka muodostaa heterodimee��rin raskaan alayksik��n 4F2hc:n kanssa. T��ll�� hetkell�� SLC7A7-geenist�� tunnetaan yli 50 LPI:n aiheut��tavaa mutaatiota. T��ss�� tutkimuksessa erityyppisi�� y+LAT1:n LPI-mutaatiota sek�� yhdeks��n C-terminaalista polypep��tidi�� lyhent��v���� deleetiota kuvannettiin nis��k��ssoluissa y+LAT1:n GFP (green fluorescent protein) -fuusioproteiineina. Tulokset vahvistivat muissa soluissa tehdyt havainnot siit��, ett�� 4F2hc on edel��lytyksen�� y+LAT1:n solukalvokuljetukselle, G54V-pistemutantti sijaitsee solukalvolla samoin kuin vil��lityyppinen proteiini, mutta lukukehyst�� muuttavia ja proteiinia lyhent��vi�� mutantteja ei kuljeteta solukalvoon. Lis��ksi havaittiin, ett�� poikkeuksena t��st�� s����nn��st�� ovat y+LAT1-deleetioproteiinit, joista puuttui korkeintaan 50 C-terminaalista aminohappoa. N��m�� lyhentyneet kuljettimet sijaitsevat solukalvolla kuten villityyppiset ja LPI-pistemutanttiproteiinit. Dimerisaation osuutta kuljetush��iri��n synnyss�� tutkittiin k��ytt��m��ll�� fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) menetelm����. Heterodimeerin alayksik��ist�� kloonattiin ECFP (cyan) ja EYFP (yellow) fuusioproteiinit, joita ilmennettiin nis��k��ssoluissa, ja FRET mitattiin virtaussytometri-FRET -menetel��m��ll�� (FACS-FRET). Tutkimuksissa kaikkien mutanttien havaittiin dimerisoituvan yht�� tehokkaasti. Kul��jetush��iri��n syyn�� ei siten ole alayksik��iden dimerisaation estyminen mutaation seurauksena. Tutkimuksessa havaittiin, ett�� kaikki mutantti-y+LAT1-transfektiot tuottavat v��hemm��n transfektoi��tuneita soluja kuin villityyppisen y+LAT1:n transfektiot. Solupopulaatioissa, joihin oli tranfektoitu lu��kukehyst�� muuttava tai stop-kodonin tuottava mutaatio havaittiin suurempi kuolleisuus kuin saman n��ytteen transfektoitumattomissa soluissa, kun taas villityyppist�� tai G54V-pistemutanttia tuottavas��sa solupopulaatiossa oli pienempi kuolleisuus kuin saman n��ytteen fuusioproteiinia ilment��m��tt����miss�� soluissa. Tulos osoittaa mutanttiproteiinien erilaiset vaikutukset niit�� ilment��viin soluihin, joko suoraan y+LAT1:n tai 4F2hc:n kautta aiheutuneina. LPIFin SLC7A7 l��hetti-RNA:n m����r�� ei merkitt��v��sti poikennut villityyppisen m����r��st�� fibroblasteissa ja lymfoblasteissa. SLC7A7:n promoottorianalyysiss�� oli osoitettavissa s����telyalueita geenin 5��� ei-koo��daavalla alueella sek�� ensimm��isten kahden intronin alueella. LPI-taudin tautimekanismin kannalta keskeisin tekij�� on kuitenkin aminohappokuljetuksen h��iri��, jonka vaikutuksesta n��ist�� aminohapoista riippuvaiset prosessit elimist��ss�� eiv��t toimi normaalisti. Havaittu virheellinen y+LAT1/4F2hc kuljetuskompleksin sijainti edellytt���� lis��tutkimuksia sen mahdol��lisen kliinisen merkityksen selvitt��miseksi.

Risk Assessment of a Supplier in the Pharmaceutical Industry

The topic of this Master���s Thesis is risk assessment in the supply chain, and the work was done for a company operating in the pharmaceutical industry. The unique features of the industry bring additional challenges to risk management, due to high regulatory, docu-mentation and traceability requirements. The objective of the thesis was to generate a template for assessing the risks in the supply chain of current and potential suppliers of the case company. Risks pertaining to the case setting were sought mainly from in-house expertise of this specific product and supply chain as well as academic research papers and theory on risk management. A questionnaire was set up to assess the found risks on impact, occurrence and possibility of detection. Through this classification of the severity of the risks, the supplier assessment template was formed. A questionnaire template, comprised of the top 10 risks affecting the flow of information and materials in this setting, was formulated to serve as a generic tool for assessing risks in the supply chain of a pharmaceutical company. The template was tested on another supplier for usability and accuracy of found risks, and it demonstrated functioning in a differing supply chain and product setting.

The early activities of front end of innovation in oem companies using a new fei platform as a framework for renewal

The main goal of this study is to create a seamless chain of actions and more detailed structure to the front end of innovation to be able to increase the front end performance and finally to influence the renewal of companies. The main goal is achieved through by the new concept of an integrated model of early activities of FEI leading to a discovery of new elements of opportunities and the identification of new business and growth areas. The procedure offers one possible solution to a dynamic strategy formation process in innovation development cycle. In this study the front end of innovation is positioned between a strategy reviews and a concept creation with needed procedures, tools, and frameworks. The starting point of the study is that the origins of innovation are not well enough understood. The study focuses attention on the early activities of FEI. These first activities are conceptualized in order to find out successful innovation initiatives and strategic renewal agendas. A seamless chain of activities resulting in faster and more precise identification of opportunities and growth areas available on markets and inside companies is needed. Three case studies were conducted in order to study company views on available theory doctrine and to identify the first practical experiences and procedures in the beginning of the front end of innovation. Successful innovation requires focus on renewal in both internal and external directions and they should be carefully balanced for best results. Instead of inside-out mode of actions the studied companies have a strong outside-in thinking mode and they mainly co-develop their innovation initiatives in close proximity with customers i.e. successful companies are an integral part of customers business and success. Companies have tailor-made innovation processes combined their way of working linked to their business goals, and priorities of actual needs of transformation. The result of this study is a new modular FEI platform which can be configured by companies against their actual business needs and drivers. This platform includes new elements of FEI documenting an architecture presenting how the system components work together. The system is a conceptual approach from theories of emergent strategy formation, opportunity identification and creation, interpretation-analysis-experimentation triad and the present FEI theories. The platform includes new features compared to actual models of FEI. It allows managers to better understand the importance of FEI in the whole innovation development stage and FEI as a phase and procedure to discover and implement emergent strategy. An adaptable company rethinks and redirects strategy proactively from time to time. Different parts of the business model are changed to remove identified obstacles for growth and renewal which gives them avenues to find right reforms for renewal.

Oxidative stress may explain how hypertension is maintained by normal levels of angiotensin II

It is well known that essential hypertension evolves in most patients with "near normal" levels of plasma renin activity. However, these levels appear to be responsible for the high levels of arterial pressure because they are normalized by the administration of angiotensin II converting inhibitors or angiotensin receptor antagonist. In experimental animals, hypertension can be induced by the continuous intravenous infusion of small doses of angiotensin II that are not sufficient to evoke an immediate pressor response. However, this condition resembles the characteristics of essential hypertension because the high levels of blood pressure exist with normal plasma levels of angiotensin II. It is suggested that small amounts of angiotensin whose plasma levels are inappropriate for the existing size of extracellular volume stimulate oxidative stress which binds nitric oxide forming peroxynitrite. The latter compound oxidizes arachidonic acid producing isoprostaglandin F2a (an isoprostane) which is characterized by a strong antinatriuretic vasoconstrictor renal effect. In this chain of reactions the vasoconstrictor effects derived from oxygen quenching of nitric oxide and increased isoprostane synthesis could explain how hypertension is maintained with normal plasma levels of renin.

Further biochemical characterization of Mycobacterium leprae laminin-binding proteins

It has been demonstrated that the alpha2 chain of laminin-2 present on the surface of Schwann cells is involved in the process of attachment of Mycobacterium leprae to these cells. Searching for M. leprae laminin-binding molecules, in a previous study we isolated and characterized the cationic proteins histone-like protein (Hlp) and ribosomal proteins S4 and S5 as potential adhesins involved in M. leprae-Schwann cell interaction. Hlp was shown to bind alpha2-laminins and to greatly enhance the attachment of mycobacteria to ST88-14 Schwann cells. In the present study, we investigated the laminin-binding capacity of the ribosomal proteins S4 and S5. The genes coding for these proteins were PCR amplified and their recombinant products were shown to bind alpha2-laminins in overlay assays. However, when tested in ELISA-based assays and in adhesion assays with ST88-14 cells, in contrast to Hlp, S4 and S5 failed to bind laminin and act as adhesins. The laminin-binding property and adhesin capacity of two basic host-derived proteins were also tested, and only histones, but not cytochrome c, were able to increase bacterial attachment to ST88-14 cells. Our data suggest that the alanine/lysine-rich sequences shared by Hlp and eukaryotic H1 histones might be involved in the binding of these cationic proteins to laminin.

Decorin is one of the proteoglycans expressed in Walker 256 rat mammary carcinoma

Proteoglycan and glycosaminoglycan content was analyzed in a model of rat mammary carcinoma to study the roles of these compounds in tumorigenesis. Hyaluronic acid and proteoglycans bearing chondroitin and/or dermatan sulfate chains were detected in solid tumors obtained after subcutaneous inoculation of Walker 256 rat carcinoma cells. About 10% of sulfated glycosaminoglycan chains corresponded to heparan sulfate. The small leucine-rich proteoglycan, decorin, was identified as one of the proteoglycans, in addition to others of higher molecular weight, by cross-reaction with an antiserum raised against pig laryngeal decorin and by N-terminal amino acid sequencing. Decorin was separated from other proteoglycans by hydrophobic chromatography and its complete structure was determined. It has a molecular weight of about 85 kDa and a dermatan chain of 45 kDa with 4-sulfated disaccharides. After degradation of the glycosaminoglycan chain, three core proteins of different molecular weight (36, 46 and 56 kDa) were identified. The presence of hyaluronic acid and decorin has been reported in a variety of tumors and tumor cells. In the Walker 256 mammary carcinoma model, hyaluronic acid may play an important role in tumor progression, since it provides a more hydrated extracellular matrix. On the other hand, decorin, which is expressed by stromal cells, represents a host defense response to tumor growth.

Characterization of ��-trypsin at acid pH by differential scanning calorimetry

Trypsin is a serino-protease with a polypeptide chain of 223 amino acid residues and contains six disulfide bridges. It is a globular protein with a predominance of antiparallel ��-sheet and helix in its secondary structure and has two domains with similar structures. We assessed the stability of ��-trypsin in the acid pH range using microcalorimetric (differential scanning calorimetry) techniques. Protein concentrations varied in the range of 0.05 to 2.30 mg/ml. Buffer solutions of 50.0 mM ��-alanine and 20.0 mM CaCl2 at different pH values (from 2.0 to 4.2) and concentrations of sorbitol (1.0 and 2.0 M), urea (0.5 M) or guanidinium hydrochloride (0.5 and 1.0 M) were used. The data suggest that we are studying the same conformational transition of the protein in all experimental situations using pH, sorbitol, urea and guanidinium hydrochloride as perturbing agents. The observed van't Hoff ratios (deltaHcal/deltaHvH) of 1.0 to 0.5 in the pH range of 3.2 to 4.2 suggest protein aggregation. In contrast, deltaHcal/deltaHvH ratios equal to one in the pH range of 2.0 to 3.2 suggest that the protein unfolds as a monomer. At pH 3.00, ��-trypsin unfolded with Tm = 54��C and deltaH = 101.8 kcal/mol, and the change in heat capacity between the native and unfolded forms of the protein (deltaCp) was estimated to be 2.50 �� 0.07 kcal mol-1 K-1. The stability of ��-trypsin calculated at 298 K was deltaG D = 5.7 kcal/mol at pH 3.00 and deltaG D = 15.2 kcal/mol at pH 7.00, values in the range expected for a small globular protein.

Role of a GenoType MTBDRplus line probe assay in early detection of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis at a Brazilian reference center

Resistance to Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a reality worldwide, and its diagnosis continues to be difficult and time consuming. To face this challenge, the World Health Organization has recommended the use of rapid molecular tests. We evaluated the routine use (once a week) of a line probe assay (Genotype MTBDRplus) for early diagnosis of resistance and for assessment of the main related risk factors over 2 years. A total of 170 samples were tested: 15 (8.8%) were resistant, and multidrug resistance was detected in 10 (5.9%). The sensitivity profile took 3 weeks (2 weeks for culture and 1 week for rapid testing). Previous treatment for tuberculosis and the persistence of positive acid-fast smears after 4 months of supervised treatment were the major risk factors observed. The use of molecular tests enabled early diagnosis of drug-resistant bacilli and led to appropriate treatment of the disease. This information has the potential to interrupt the transmission chain of resistant M. tuberculosis.