Growing Flowers in the Frost: Civic Activity, Citizenship and Gender in Russia

This study analyzes civic activity, citizenship and their gendered manifestations in contemporary Russia. It is based on a case study conducted in the city of Tver , located in the vicinity of Moscow, during 2001-2005. The data consists of interviews with civic activists and municipal and regional authorities; observations of civic organizations; and a quantitative survey conducted among local civic groups. The theoretical and methodological framework of the study draws upon a micro perspective on organization, discourse analysis, gender and citizenship theories and Pierre Bourdieu s theory of fields and capital. This study develops theoretical understanding of the characteristics and logic of civic organization in Russia. It shows that social class centrally structures the field of civic activity. Organizations can be seen as a vehicle of the educated class to advocate their interests, help themselves and seek both social and individual-level change. The study also argues that civic organizations founded during the post-Soviet era are often an institutionalized form of informal social networks. Networks, which were a central element of everyday interaction in Soviet society, are a resource and often the only resource available that can be made use of in contemporary organizational activities. The study argues that gender operates as a key structuring principle in the Russian socio-political community. Civic activity is often discursively associated with femininity and institutional politics with masculinity. Women tend to participate more than men in civic organizations, while men dominate the formal political domain. The study shows that civic organizations are important loci of communality. This communality, however, differs from the communality envisioned in the communitarian and social capital debates in the West. It is selective communality , as it is restricted to the members of the organizations and does not create generalized reciprocity and trust. Civic organizations tend to build upon and reproduce the traditional Russian organizational form of circles , kruzhki. Along with the analysis of civic activities, the study also examines the redefinition of the role and functions of the state. The authorities interviewed in this study understand civic organizations as serving those goals and interests determined by the authorities, instead of viewing them as sites of citizens self-organization around interests and problems citizens themselves deem important, or as a counterforce to the state. By contrast, civic activists understand the core of organizational activity to be advocacy of their interests and rights, tackling social problems, the pursuit of wider social change and self-help. Co-operation between authorities and organizations tends to be personified and based upon unequal, hierarchical patron-client arrangements, which inhibits the development of democratic governance. The study will be published in Routledge Contemporary Russia and Eastern Europe Series later this year.

Family of Mixed-Valence Oxovanadium(IV/V) Dinuclear Entities Incorporating N4O3-Coordinating Heptadentate Ligands: Synthesis, Structure, and EPR Spectra

Dinuclear ((VVV)-V-IV) oxophenoxovanadates of general formula [V2O3L] have been synthesized in excellent yields by reacting bis(acetylacetonato)oxovanadium(IV) with H3L in a 2:1 ratio in acetone under an N-2 atmosphere. Here L3- is the deprotonated form of 2,6-bis[{{(2-hydroxybenzyl)(N',N'-(dimethylamino)ethyl)}amino}methyl]-4-methylphenol (H3L1), 2,6-bis[{{(5-methyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)(N',N'-(dimethylamino)ethyl)}amino}methyl]-4-methylphenol (H3L2) 2,6-bis[ {{(5-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)(N',N'-(dimethylamino)ethyl)}amino}methyl]-4-methylphenoI (H3L3), 2,6-bis[{{(5-chloro-2-hydroxybenzyl)(N',N'-(dimethylamino)ethyl)}amino}methyl]-4-methylphenol (H3L4) , 2,6-bis[{{(5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzyl)(N',N'-(dimethylamino)ethyl)}amino}methyl]-4-methylphenol (H3L5), or 2,6-bis[{{(5-methoxy-2-hydroxybenzyl)(N',N'-(dimethylamino)ethyl)}amino}methyl]-4-methylphenol (H3L6). In [V2O3L1], both the metal atoms have distorted octahedral geometry. The relative disposition of two terminal V=O groups in the complex is essentially cis. The O=V...V=O torsion angle is 24.6(2)degrees. The V-O-oxo-V and V-O-phenoxo-V angles are 117.5(4) and 93.4(3)degrees, respectively. The V...V bond distance is 3.173(5) Angstrom. X-ray crystallography, IR, UV-vis, and H-1 and V-51 NMR measurements show that the mixed-valence complexes contain two indistinguishable vanadium atoms (type 111). The thermal ellipsoids of O2, O4, C10, C14, and C15 also suggests a type III complex in the solid state. EPR spectra of solid complexes at 77 K display a single line indicating the localization of the odd electron (3d(xy)(1)). Valence localization at 77 K is also consistent with the V-51 hyperfine structure of the axial EPR spectra (3d(xy)(1) ground state) of the complexes in frozen (77 K) dichloromethane solution: S = 1/2, g(parallel to) similar to 1.94, g(perpendicular to) similar to 1.98, A(parallel to) similar to 166 x 10(-4) cm(-1), and A(perpendicular to) similar to 68 x 10(-4) cm(-1). In contrast isotropic room-temperature solution spectra of the family have 15 hyperfine lines (g(iso) similar to 1.974 and A(iso) similar to 50 x 10(-4) cm(-1)) revealing that the unpaired electron is delocalized between the metal centers. Crystal data for the [V2O3L1].CH2Cl2 complex are as follows: chemical formula, C32H43O6N4C12V2; crystal system, monoclinic; space group, C2/c; a = 18.461(4), b = 17.230(3), c = 13.700(3) Angstrom; beta = 117.88(3)degrees; Z = 8.

The significance of brittle reaction layers in fusing of dental ceramics to titanium

This thesis comprises four intercomplementary parts that introduce new approaches to brittle reaction layers and mechanical compatibility of metalloceramic joints created when fusing dental ceramics to titanium. Several different methods including atomic layer deposition (ALD), sessile drop contact angle measurements, scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM), three-point bending (TPB, DIN 13 927 / ISO 9693), cross-section microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were employed. The first part investigates the effects of TiO2 layer structure and thickness on the joint strength of the titanium-metalloceramic system. Samples with all tested TiO2 thicknesses displayed good ceramics adhesion to Ti, and uniform TPB results. The fracture mode was independent of oxide layer thickness and structure. Cracking occurred deeper inside titanium, in the oxygen-rich Ti[O]x solid solution surface layer. During dental ceramics firing TiO2 layers dissociate and joints become brittle with increased dissolution of oxygen into metallic Ti and consequent reduction in the metal plasticity. To accomplish an ideal metalloceramic joint this needs to be resolved. The second part introduces photoinduced superhydrophilicity of TiO2. Test samples with ALD deposited anatase TiO2 films were produced. Samples were irradiated with UV light to induce superhydrophilicity of the surfaces through a cascade leading to increased amount of surface hydroxyl groups. Superhydrophilicity (contact angle ~0˚) was achieved within 2 minutes of UV radiation. Partial recovery of the contact angle was observed during the first 10 minutes after UV exposure. Total recovery was not observed within 24h storage. Photoinduced ultrahydrophilicity can be used to enhance wettability of titanium surfaces, an important factor in dental ceramics veneering processes. The third part addresses interlayers designed to restrain oxygen dissolution into Ti during dental ceramics fusing. The main requirements for an ideal interlayer material are proposed. Based on these criteria and systematic exclusion of possible interlayer materials silver (Ag) interlayers were chosen. TPB results were significantly better in when 5 μm Ag interlayers were used compared to only Al2O3-blasted samples. In samples with these Ag interlayers multiple cracks occurred inside dental ceramics, none inside Ti structure. Ag interlayers of 5 μm on Al2O3-blasted samples can be efficiently used to retard formation of the brittle oxygen-rich Ti[O]x layer, thus enhancing metalloceramic joint integrity. The most brittle component in metalloceramic joints with 5 μm Ag interlayers was bulk dental ceramics instead of Ti[O]x. The fourth part investigates the importance of mechanical interlocking. According to the results, the significance of mechanical interlocking achieved by conventional surface treatments can be questioned as long as the formation of the brittle layers (mainly oxygen-rich Ti[O]x) cannot be sufficiently controlled. In summary in contrast to former impressions of thick titanium oxide layers this thesis clearly demonstrates diffusion of oxygen from sintering atmosphere and SiO2 to Ti structures during dental ceramics firing and the following formation of brittle Ti[O]x solid solution as the most important factors predisposing joints between Ti and SiO2-based dental ceramics to low strength. This among other predisposing factors such as residual stresses created by the coefficient of thermal expansion mismatch between dental ceramics and Ti frameworks can be avoided with Ag interlayers.

Isophenoxazine synthase

An enzyme which catalyses the oxidation of o-aminophenol to o-quinoneimine and the subsequent condensation of o-aminophenol and o-quinoneime to give isophenoxazine has been isolated from the leaves of Tecoma stans. The reaction had an optimum pH of 6.2 and an optimum temperature of 45°. Heavy-metal ions like Hg2+, Co2+, Mg2+, Fe3+, were inhibitory. Mn2+ activated the reaction to about 40%. The reaction requires intact sulfhydryl groups. A study of the coenzyme requirements showed that isophenoxazine synthase (o-aminophenol: O2 oxidoreductase) is a flavoprotein requiring FAD for maximum activity. Stoichiometric studies showed that 2 moles of o-aminophenol gave 1 mole of isophhenoxazine.

Klassisen poliittisen taloustieteen heijastuminen Intian koleratodellisuuteen 1817–1914

Tässä työssä tutkitaan sitä, heijastuiko Britanniassa vallinnut klassisen poliittisen taloustieteen ihannointi Intian koleratodellisuuteen Itä-Intian kauppakomppanian ja Englannin kruunun hallintokausilla vuosina 1817–1914. Klassinen poliittinen taloustiede oli Britanniassa eli emämaassa dominantti ideologia ja sen vaikutus etenkin Intiassa oli huomattava. Työn lähdeaineisto koostuu pääasiassa Intiassa ja Iso-Britanniassa julkaistuista koleraa käsittelevistä teoksista. Tutkimus tarjoaa oman pienen panoksensa sekä Intian siirtomaahistoriaa että siirtomaajärjestelmän toimintaa käsittelevään tutkimukseen. Työssä esitetään, miten Intian koleraepidemiat alkoivat ja levisivät kauppakomppanian kaudella, miten kruunun alaisuuteen siirryttäessä Intiaan rakennettiin omanlaisensa koleratodellisuus ja -teoria ja miten todellisuus vasta hieman ennen 1900-luvun vaihdetta alkoi yhdentyä muun maailman koleratodellisuuden kanssa. Tutkielmasta voidaan päätellä klassisen poliittisen taloustieteen ajatusten heijastuneen Intian koleratodellisuuteen. Intian rooli raaka-aineiden tuottajana ja myöhemmin myös valmiiden tuotteiden markkinakenttänä heijastui sekä karanteenien vastustamisena että Euroopassa hyviksi todettujen koleraa ehkäisevien keinojen soveltamatta jättämisenä. Investoiminen Intian sosiaali- ja terveyssektorille ei sopinut klassisen poliittisen taloustieteen ihanteisiin, jotka painottivat markkinoiden toimintaan puuttumattomuutta ja näkymättömän käden kaikille jakamaa hyvinvointia. Kauppakomppanian kaudella puuttumattomuutta voitiin perustella yritysmäisellä toiminnalla, johon ei kuulut valtiolle kuuluvien tehtävien hoitaminen. Kruunun alaisuuteen siirtymisen myötä tilanne kuitenkin muuttui. Valtiolla oli suuremmat velvollisuudet kansalaistensa hyvinvointia kohtaan, joten kruunu joutui perustelemaan toimimattomuuttaan painokkaammin. Suurten sosiaalisektorin investointien ja karanteenien välttämiseksi Intiaan luotiin aivan oma koleratodellisuutensa, jonka mukaan kolera ei tarttunut ihmisestä toiseen, eikä sen leviämistä voinut estää, sillä se syntyi maasta nousevista höyryistä ja kulki tuulten mukana. Vääristynyt teoriapohja johti vääristyneeseen todellisuuteen. Epätietoisuus kolerasta ja sen hoidosta säilyi Intiassa 1800-luvun lopulle asti. Britannia hyväksyi saksalaisen epidemiologin, Robert Kochin esittämän bakteeriteorian vasta, kun Koch ja muu maailma totesivat, etteivät merille asetetut karanteenit enää pystyneet ehkäisemään koleran leviämistä. Merten ja kaupankäynnin vapaus ei tällöin enää ollut uhattuna, eikä Britannian siis koskaan tarvinnut luopua siirtomaajärjestelmälle niin olennaisesta tavaroiden liikkumisen esteettömyydestä.

Ison-Britannian kolmas sektori. Maaraportti Skotlannin maaseutualueiden palveluntuotannosta.

Tämän tutkimusraportin aiheena on kolmannen sektorin osuus maaseudun palvelujen kokonaisuudessa ja rahoituksessa Iso-Britanniassa, erityisesti Skotlannissa. Selvityksellä haluttiin saada yleiskuva ja havaintoesimerkkejä kansalaisjärjestöjen merkityksestä ja toimintatavoista eurooppalaisesta maasta, jossa maaseudun alue- ja väestörakenne muistuttaa Suomea ja jossa tiedetään paikallisella aktiivisuudella olevan keskeinen rooli palvelujen järjestämisessä. Selvitys avaa kansainvälistä vertailua ja vaikutteita varten näkökulmia ajankohtaiseen suomalaiseen maaseutupoliittiseen keskusteluun ja kehittämistyöhön maaseudun palvelujen uusista mahdollisuuksista ja ratkaisuvaihtoehdoista. Tutkimusraportti julkaistaan osana Kolmas sektori kunta- ja palvelurakenteen muutoksessa -tutkimushanketta, jota hallinoi Helsingin yliopiston Ruralia-instituutti. Tutkimushankkeen päärahoittaja on Kunnallisalan Kehittämissäätiö (KAKS), joka myönsi hankkeelle kolmeksi vuodeksi rahoituksen. Hanke suunniteltiin ja toteutettiin yhteistyössä Maaseutupolitiikan yhteistyöryhmän (YTR) kansalaisjärjestöteemaryhmän kanssa, joka myös toimi hankkeen ohjausryhmänä. Tutkimushankkeen rahoitukseen osallistuivat myös YTR sekä Helsingin yliopiston Ruralia-instituutti. Vastaavana tutkijana hankkeessa toimi MMM, agronomi Ritva Pihlaja. Tutkimuksen johtajana toimi tutkimusjohtaja, professori Tapani Köppä. Tutkimusraportin Iso-Britannian, erityisesti Skotlannin kolmannesta sektorista maaseudun palvelujen kannalta on laatinut HTK Jussi Telaranta, joka hyödynsi selvitystä myös opinnäytetyössään.

Microbial Production Of Amino-Acids .3. Nutritional Studies And Effects Of Organic Growth Promoters And Thiamine On Dl-Alanine Fermentation By Arthrobacter Strain C19d

The study of the nutritional requirements of Arthrobacter strain C19d which accumulates alanine in large amounts in the culture medium. 1evealed that the organism needs thiamine for its growth. A Iso the alanine accumulation by this strain was found to be related to thiamine concentration in the medium. The optimum concentration of thiamine for alanine accumulation (20 tJ.g/mJ) Was also optimum for the growth of the organism indicating thereby that alanine accumulation by this strain is a growth associated process rather than far removed from it. Among the various growth promoters tried yeast extract was found to be superior from the point of view of alanine yield and it wa5 also superior to giving thiamine alone in the medium. A concentration of 0.02% yeast extract was found to be optimum for alanine occumulation.

Use of Standards for CAD Layers in Building

One of the central issues in making efficient use of IT in the design, construction and maintenance of buildings is the sharing of the digital building data across disciplines and lifecycle stages. One technology which enables data sharing is CAD layering, which to be of real use requires the definition of standards. This paper focuses on the background, objectives and effectiveness of the International standard ISO 13567, Organisation and naming of layers for CAD. In particular the efficiency and effectiveness of the standardisation and standard implementation process are in focus, rather than the technical details. The study was conducted as a qualitative study with a number of experts who responded to a semi-structured mail questionnaire, supplemented by personal interviews. The main results were that CAD layer standards based on the ISO standard have been implemented, particularly in northern European countries, but are not very widely used. A major problem which was identified was the lack of resources for marketing and implementing the standard as national variations, once it had been formally accepted.

CAD Standardization in Construction – a Process View

There has been a demand for uniform CAD standards in the construction industry ever since the large-scale introduction of computer aided design systems in the late 1980s. While some standards have been widely adopted without much formal effort, other standards have failed to gain support even though considerable resources have been allocated for the purpose. Establishing a standard concerning building information modeling has been one particularly active area of industry development and scientific interest within recent years. In this paper, four different standards are discussed as cases: the IGES and DXF/DWG standards for representing the graphics in 2D drawings, the ISO 13567 standard for the structuring of building information on layers, and the IFC standard for building product models. Based on a literature study combined with two qualitative interview studies with domain experts, a process model is proposed to describe and interpret the contrasting histories of past CAD standardisation processes.

An environment-friendly Beckmann rearrangement: the diazotisation of ketoxime carbamates

The titled reaction was effected with iso-amyl nitrite or sodium nitrite, both in cone. H2SO4 at 0-25 degrees C in excellent yields (55-98%). Apart from the mild temperatures employed, organic solvents and reagents can be avoided, and the by-products are CO2 and N-2, so the conditions are environment-friendly. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Saturated liquid densities of cryogenic liquids and refrigerants

The saturated liquid density, varrholr, data along the liquid vapour coexistence curve published in the literature for several cryogenic liquids, hydrocarbons and halocarbon refrigerants are fitted to a generalized equation of the following form varrholr = 1 + A(1 − Tr + B(1 − Tr)β The values of β, the index in phase density differences power law, have been obtained by means of two approaches namely statistical treatment of saturated fluid phase density difference data and the existence of a maximum in T(varrho1 − varrhov) along the saturation curve. Values of the constants A and B are determined utilizing the fact that Tvarrho1 has a maximum at a characteristic temperature T. Values of A, B and β are tabulated for Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, N2, O2, methane, ethane, propane, iso-butane, n-butane, propylene, ethylene, CO2, water, ammonia, refrigerants-11, 12, 12B1, 13, 13B1, 14, 21, 22, 23, 32, 40, 113, 114, 115, 142b, 152a, 216, 245 and azeotropes R-500, 502, 503, 504. The average error of prediction is less than 2%.

Comparative study on damage identification from lso-Eigen-Value-Change contours and smeared damage model

The paper proposes two methodologies for damage identification from measured natural frequencies of a contiguously damaged reinforced concrete beam, idealised with distributed damage model. The first method identifies damage from Iso-Eigen-Value-Change contours, plotted between pairs of different frequencies. The performance of the method is checked for a wide variation of damage positions and extents. The method is also extended to a discrete structure in the form of a five-storied shear building and the simplicity of the method is demonstrated. The second method is through smeared damage model, where the damage is assumed constant for different segments of the beam and the lengths and centres of these segments are the known inputs. First-order perturbation method is used to derive the relevant expressions. Both these methods are based on distributed damage models and have been checked with experimental program on simply supported reinforced concrete beams, subjected to different stages of symmetric and un-symmetric damages. The results of the experiments are encouraging and show that both the methods can be adopted together in a damage identification scenario.

Dimensionality of quality from a customer perspective in the wood industry

The research analyzes product quality from a customer perspective in the case of the wood products industry. Of specific interest is to understand better how environmental quality is perceived from a customer perspective. The empirical material used comprises four data-sets from Finland, Germany and the UK, collected during 1992 2004. The methods consist of a set of quantitative statistical analyses. The results indicate that perceived quality from a customer perspective can be presented using a multidimensional and hierarchical construct with tangible and intangible dimensions, that is common to different markets and products. This applies in the case of wood products but also more generally at least for some other construction materials. For wood products, tangible product quality has two main sub-dimensions: technical quality and appearance. For product intangibles, a few main quality dimensions seem be detectable: Quality of intangibles related to the physical product, such as environmental issues and product-related information, supplier-related characteristics, and service and sales personnel behavior. Environmental quality and information are often perceived as being inter-related. Technical performance and appearance are the most important considerations for customers in the case of wood products. Organizational customers in particular also clearly consider certain intangible quality dimensions to be important, such as service and supplier reliability. The high technical quality may be considered as a license to operate , but product appearance and intangible quality provide potential for differentiation for attracting certain market segments. Intangible quality issues are those where Nordic suppliers underperform in comparison to their Central-European competitors on the important German markets. Environmental quality may not have been used to its full extent to attract customers. One possibility is to increase the availability of the environment-related information, or to develop environment-related product characteristics to also provide some individual benefits. Information technology provides clear potential to facilitate information-based quality improvements, which was clearly recognized by Finnish forest industry already in the early 1990s. The results indeed indicate that wood products markets are segmented with regard to quality demands

Yhteiskunnallisen yrittäjyyden institutionalisaatio Suomessa - haasteet ja mahdollisuudet

Tutkimuksessa tarkastellaan yhteiskunnallista yrittäjyyttä suomalaisesta näkökulmasta ja pyritään kartoittamaan niitä tekijöitä, jotka voivat vaikuttaa sen institutionalisaatioon Suomessa. Yhteiskunnallinen yrittäjyys on viimeisen kahden vuosikymmenen aikana kansainvälisesti huomiota saanut pyrkimys yhdistää innovatiivisella tavalla taloudellisesti kestävä yritystoiminta ja sosiaalisen muutoksen aikaansaaminen. Erityisesti yhteiskunnalliset yritykset on nähty yhtenä mahdollisena vastauksena tulevaisuudessa yhä ajankohtaisempaan kysymykseen siitä, miten tärkeinä pidetyt hyvinvointipalvelut saadaan tuotettua huoltosuhteen heikentyessä ja julkisen talouden kiristyessä. Tutkimuksen tarkoituksena on selvittää avainhenkilöhaastatteluiden avulla, miten yhteiskunnallinen yrittäjyys ymmärretään Suomessa, ja mitä mahdollisuuksia tai haasteita nähdään sen vakiintumiselle. Tutkimus muodostuu kahdesta osuudesta. Ensimmäisen osan muodostaa yhteiskunnallisen yrittäjyyden käsitteen selventäminen heijastamalla haastatteluissa nousseita käsityksiä aiempaan pääosin kansainväliseen tutkimuskirjallisuuteen. Toinen osuus on teoriasidonnainen. Aineistosta pyritään kartoittamaan niitä tekijöitä, jotka haastateltavien mukaan vaikuttavat yhteiskunnallisen yrittäjyyden institutionalisaatioon Suomessa. Tutkimuksen teoreettisen viitekehyksen muodostaa (uusi) institutionalismi ja erityisesti teoria institutionalisaatiosta. Uuden alan institutionalisaatioon vaikuttavat Lawrencen ja Phillipsin mukaan sekä makrokulttuuriset instituutiot, eli yhteiskunnan erilaiset rakenteet, että institutionaalinen yrittäjyys, eli aktiivisten yksilöiden toiminta. Olemassa olevat rakenteet voivat olla uuden alan vakiintumista mahdollistavia tai rajoittavia. Tutkimuksen aineiston valinta perustuu teoreettiseen otokseen.Tutkimukseen on haastateltu avainhenkilöitä niistä sidosryhmistä, jotka ovat keskeisessä asemassa uuden alan tai ilmiön vakiintumiseen nähden. Haastattelutekniikkana on käytetty puolistrukturoitua teemahaastattelua. Haastatteluista saatua aineistoa on analysoitu laadullisen sisällönanalyysin avulla. Yhteiskunnallisesta yrittäjyydestä ei vallinnut haastateltujen kesken yhtenäistä kuvaa. Yhteiskunnallisen tehtävän ensisijaisuus nähtiin kuitenkin keskeisenä ilmiötä määrittävänä tekijänä. Haastatteluissa ilmenevät käsitykset ovat myös melko yhdenmukaisia Iso-Britannian mallin kanssa. Keskeisinä tuloksina yhteiskunnallisen yrittäjyyden institutionalisaatioon vaikuttavina tekijöinä nousivat mahdollistavina esiin vahva kolmas sektori, vakiintunut osuustoiminta, myönteinen poliittinen linjaus, vastuullisen kansalaisuuden ja individualismin vahvistuminen sekä tiivis kansainvälinen yhteistyö. Institutionalisaatiota rajoittavina institutionaalisina tekijöinä nousivat esiin vakiintuneet (erityisesti yrityspuolen) organisaatiot, hankintalaki ja sen sovellukset, perinteinen yksipuolinen näkemys yrittäjyydestä, hallintoalamaisuuskulttuuri sekä käsitteiden sekaantuminen ja leimautuminen haihatteluksi.

Dispersion of Zirconia in the Presence of Dolapix PC75

The effect of Dolapix PC75 on the electrokinetic and rheological behavior of nano zirconia particles is presented here. The effect of pH, concentration of dispersant, and solids loading on zeta-potential and rheological behavior was studied. Upon interaction with the dispersant, the iso-electric point of zirconia changed and the surface became more negative with increasing concentration of dispersant, suggesting a strong interaction. Maximum charge was obtained in the presence of about 200ppm of Dolapix. Rheological tests at pH 7 showed that the zirconia suspension is viscous at high solids loading and addition of the dispersant decreased the viscosity substantially especially at high solids loading (50wt%). Sedimentation tests confirmed that Dolapix PC75 is a good dispersant for zirconia particles at pH values of 7 and above.