Spatial variability of mechanical resistance to penetration evaluated with mobile unit on haplic vertisol cultivated with mango

Since the advent of mechanized farming and intensive use of agricultural machinery and implements on the properties, the soil began to receive greater load of machinery traffic, which can cause increased soil compaction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the spatial variability of soil mechanical resistance to penetration (RP) in the layers of 0.00-0.10, 0.10-0.20, 0.20-0.30 and 0.30-0.40m, using geostatistics in an area cultivated with mango in Haplic Vertisol of the northeastern semi-arid, with mobile unit equipped with electronic penetrometer. The RP data was collected in 56 points from an area of 3 ha, and random soil samples were collected to determine the soil moisture and texture. For RP data analysis we used descriptive statistics and geostatistics. The soil mechanical resistance to penetration presented increased variability, with adjustment of the spherical and exponential semivariograms in the layers. We found that 42% of the area in the layer of 0.10-0.20m showed RP values above 2.70 MPa. Maximum values of RP were found in the layer of 0.19-0.27m, predominantly in 56% of the area.

Innovaatioprosessin alkupään toimintamalli ja päätöksenteko

Työn tavoitteena oli tutkia innovaatioita ja organisaation innovaatiokyvykkyyttä, innovaatiokyvykkyyden taustatekijöitä sekä innovaatioprosessin alkupään (Fuzzy Front End, FFE) sekä siinä tapahtuvan päätöksenteon johtamista. Lisäksi tavoitteena oli suunnitella innovaatioprosessin alkupään toimintamalli selkeyttämään toimintaa prosessin alkupäässä sekä antaa toimenpide-ehdotuksia ja suosituksia. Tutkimuksen teoriaosuus tehtiin kirjallisuustutkimuksena. Tutkimuksen empiirinen osuus suoritettiin case -analyysinä yrityksen henkilöhaastattelu- ja toimintatutkimuksen muodossa. Innovaatioprosessin alkupäähän on tunnistettu toimintamalleja, joilla selkeytetään ja tehostetaan prosessin alkupään vaiheita. Vaiheet ovat mahdollisuuksien tunnistaminen, mahdollisuuksien analysointi, ideointi, ideoiden valitseminen ja konsepti- ja teknologiakehitys. Innovaatioprosessin rinnalla kulkee päätöksenteon prosessi, jonka suhteen tunnistetaan selkeät päätöksentekokohdat ja kriteerit prosessissa etenemiselle. Innovaatio- ja päätöksentekoprosessiin osallistuu eri vaiheissa sekä yrityksen sisäiset, kuten henkilöstö, että ulkoiset, kuten asiakkaat, toimittajat ja verkostokumppanit, sidosryhmät. Lisäksi innovaatioprosessin toimintaan vaikuttavat johdon tuki ja sitoutuminen, osallistujien kyky luovuuteen sekä muut innovaatiokyvykkyyden taustatekijät. Kaikki nämä tekijät tulee huomioida innovaatioprosessin alkupään mallia suunniteltaessa. Tutkimus tehtiin tietoliikennealan yrityksen tarpeisiin. Yrityksessä on käytössä aloitetoimintaa, mutta sen ei koeta tarjoavan riittävästi ideoita yrityksen tuotekehityksen tarpeisiin. Yrityksen henkilöstön innovaatiopotentiaali on suuri, mikä halutaan hyödyntää paremmin suunnittelemalla yrityksen käyttöön soveltuva, innovaatioprosessin alkupään toimintaan ohjaava, vakioitu ja henkilöstöä ja muita yhteistyötahoja, kuten asiakkaita, osallistava toimintamalli. Toimenpide-ehdotuksina ja suosituksina esitetään innovaatioprosessin alkupään johtamisen toimintamallia. Esitetyssä mallissa määritellään vaiheet, menetelmät, päätöksenteko ja vastuut. Toimintamalli esitetään soveltuen yhdistettäväksi yrityksessä käytössä olevaan innovaatioprosessin loppupään, tuotekehitysprojektien läpiviemisen, malliin.

System-wide approaches to uncover Th2 cell lineage commitment

T helper (Th) cells are vital regulators of the adaptive immune system. When activated by presentation of cognate antigen, Th cells demonstrate capacity to differentiate into functionally distinct effector cell subsets. The Th2 subset is required for protection against extracellular parasites, such as helminths, but is also closely linked to pathogenesis of asthma and allergies. The intracellular molecular signal transduction pathways regulating T helper cell subset differentiation are still incompletely known. Moreover, great majority of studies regarding Th2 differentiation have been conducted with mice models, while studies with human cells have been fewer in comparison. The goal of this thesis was to characterize molecular mechanisms promoting the development of Th2 phenotype, focusing specifically on human umbilical cord blood T cells as an experimental model. These primary cells, activated and differentiated to Th2 cells in vitro, were investigated by complementary system-wide approaches, targeting levels of mRNA, proteins, and lipid molecules. Specifically, the results indicated IL4-regulated recruitment of nuclear protein, and described novel components of the Th2-promoting STAT6 enhanceosome complex. Furthermore, the development of the activated effector cell phenotype was found to correlate with remodeling of the cellular lipidome. These findings will hopefully advance the understanding of human Th2 cell lineage commitment and development of Th2-associated disease states.

De-escalation of commitment management strategy in IT project management methodology: case of ERP implementation project by IT consulting company

According to several surveys and observations, the percentage of successfully conducted IT projects without over-budgeting and delays in time schedule are extremely low. Many projects also are evaluated as failures in terms of delivered functionality. Nuldén (1996) compares IT projects with bad movies; after watching for 2 hours, one still tries to finish it even though one understands that it is a complete waste of time. The argument for that is 'I've already invested too much time to terminate it now'. The same happens with IT projects: sometimes the company continues wasting money on these projects for a long time, even though there are no expected benefits from these projects. Eventually these projects are terminated anyway, but until this moment, the company spends a lot. The situation described above is a consequence of “escalation of commitment” - project continuation even after a manager receives negative feedback of the project’s success probability. According to Keil and Mähring (2010), even though escalation can occur in any type of project, it is more common among complex technological projects, such as IT projects. Escalation of commitment very often results in runaway projects. In order to avoid it, managers use de-escalation strategies, which allow the resources to be used in more effective. These strategies lead to project termination or turning around, which stops the flow of wasted investments. Numbers of researches explore escalation of commitment phenomena based on experiments and business cases. Moreover, during the last decade several frameworks were proposed for de-escalation strategy. However, there is no evidence of successful implementation of the de-escalation of commitment strategy in the literature. In addition, despite that fact that IT project management methodologies are widely used in the companies, none of them cover the topic of escalation of commitment risks. At the same time, there are no researches proposing the way to implement de-escalation of commitment strategy into the existing project management methodology The research is focused on a single case of large ERP implementation project by the consulting company. Hence, the main deliverables of the study include suggestions of improvement in de-escalation methods and techniques in the project and in the company. Moreover, the way to implement these methods into existing project management methodology and into the company general policies is found.

Modeling and Control of the Power Conversion Unit in a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Environment

In this doctoral thesis, a power conversion unit for a 10 kWsolid oxide fuel cell is modeled, and a suitable control system is designed. The need for research was identified based on an observation that there was no information available about the characteristics of the solid oxide fuel cell from the perspective of power electronics and the control system, and suitable control methods had not previously been studied in the literature. In addition, because of the digital implementation of the control system, the inherent characteristics of the digital system had to be taken into account in the characteristics of the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The characteristics of the solid oxide fuel cell as well the methods for the modeling and control of the DC/DC converter and the grid converter are studied by a literature survey. Based on the survey, the characteristics of the SOFC as an electrical power source are identified, and a solution to the interfacing of the SOFC in distributed generation is proposed. A mathematical model of the power conversion unit is provided, and the control design for the DC/DC converter and the grid converter is made based on the proposed interfacing solution. The limit cycling phenomenon is identified as a source of low-frequency current ripple, which is found to be insignificant when connected to a grid-tied converter. A method to mitigate a second harmonic originating from the grid interface is proposed, and practical considerations of the operation with the solid oxide fuel cell plant are presented. At the theoretical level, the thesis discusses and summarizes the methods to successfully derive a model for a DC/DC converter, a grid converter, and a power conversion unit. The results of this doctoral thesis can also be used in other applications, and the models and methods can be adopted to similar applications such as photovoltaic systems. When comparing the results with the objectives of the doctoral thesis, we may conclude that the objectives set for the work are met. In this doctoral thesis, theoretical and practical guidelines are presented for the successful control design to connect a SOFC-based distributed generation plant to the utility grid.

Effective Social Intranet. Case: Mobile Routing Business Unit, Tellabs

The purpose of this thesis is to examine what the normative, effective social Intranet solution is for Tellabs Mobile Routing business unit in terms of sharing knowledge more openly and effectively, fostering innovation, and improving team spirit and positive employee experience. Additionally, these aspects are researched from the intra- and inter-organizational points of view. The research is based on previous literature and empirical interviews. Based on these two items, an eight-fold recommendation proposal was created to change the current Intranet to become an effective social Intranet.

Improving the Supply Chain Performance Management System in a Finnish paper mill

This Master’s Thesis studies performance management system and its benefits, risks and costs. Objective of the thesis is to describe and evaluate currently used supply chain performance management system (SCPMS) in a Finnish paper mill and its interfaces with its business unit’s SCPMS. As a result, the host company has improvement road map for improving its SCPMS. Used SCPMS in the host company and its interfaces to business unit’s SCPMS are described based on interviews held in the host company and the business unit. Evaluation of the host company’s SCPMS is based on literature study. For improvement road map, three areas in need of improvements are chosen. The study shows the need of high level top management commitment in successful performance management system implementation and usage, especially when the system is deployed to lower levels in the organization.

An optically coupled power stimulus isolation unit with high voltage and fast rise time output

Recent technological developments have created new devices that could improve and simplify the construction of stimulus isolators. HEXFET transistors can switch large currents and hundreds of volts in nanoseconds. The newer opto-isolators can give a pulse rise time of a few nanoseconds, with output compatible with MOSFET devices, in which delays are reduced to nanoseconds. Integrated DC/DC converters are now available. Using these new resources we developed a new electrical stimulus isolator circuit with selectable constant-current and constant-voltage modes, which are precise and easy to construct. The circuit works like a regulated power supply in both modes with output switched to zero or to free mode through an opto-isolator device. The isolator analyses showed good practical performance. The output to ground resistance was 1011 ohms and capacitance 35 picofarads. The rise time and fall time were identical (5 µs) and constant. The selectable voltage or current output mode made it very convenient to use. The current mode, with higher output resistance values in low current ranges, permits intracellular stimulation even with tip resistances close to 100 megaohms. The high compliance of 200 V guarantees the value of the current stimulus. The very low output resistance in the voltage mode made the device highly suitable for extracellular stimulation with low impedance electrodes. Most importantly, these characteristics were achieved with a circuit that was easy to build and modify and assembled with components available in Brazil.

Diagnostic profile of inpatients as a determinant of length of stay in a general hospital psychiatric unit

The aim of this study was to determine if the diagnostic profile of inpatients of a psychiatric unit in a general hospital influences the length of stay. The results of a retrospective survey comprising the first 16 years of operation of the Psychiatric Unit of the Ribeirão Preto General Hospital (PURP) showed that the progressive increase observed in the length of stay correlated with the increase in percentage of schizophrenia diagnosis, after the 8th year of hospital operation, and of affective disorders, after the 12th year. The length of hospitalization kept increasing until the 16th year, even though there was no change in the diagnostic profile of the patients admitted to the unit. In a prospective study encompassing the next six months, 61 inpatients were evaluated with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). The results showed that 82% of the inpatients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for the schizophrenic or affective disorder spectrum at admission, with a discharge rate slower than for other diagnoses, although the length of hospitalization did not significantly differ among diagnostic categories. The results further demonstrated that in every diagnostic category more than 50% of the patients stayed in hospital for more than one week after reaching a BPRS score equal to 6, indicative of discharge. Overall, these data suggest that the increase in length of hospitalization may be due to a higher percentage of patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and affective disorder admitted to the PURP. In addition, patients with low symptomatic levels remained in hospital longer than they should have.

Osaamiskartoitus osaamisen mittaamisen välineenä

Yrityksen aineeton pääoma ja etenkin osaaminen on arvokasta, mutta sen mittaaminen on vaikeaa. Osaaminen on ensin tunnistettava, jotta sitä voidaan kehittää. Tässä tutkimuksessa on tarkoitus luoda kaupan alalle osaamiselle lukuarvo, joka voidaan viedä ketjun tuloskorttiin. Tutkimusaineisto koostuu kuvailevasta ja tilastollisesta osasta. Case yrityksenä on Osuuskauppa Hämeenmaan Sale-ketju ja kartoitus kohdentuu päivittäistavarakaupan myyjän osaamistarpeisiin. Tutkimus toteutettiin kvalitatiivisena tutkimuksena, mutta yhteenvedossa on myös kvantitatiivisia piirteitä. Kuvaileva aineisto koostui ryhmähaastattelusta, joka tehtiin lomakkeen suunnitteluvaiheessa haastattelemalla Osuuskauppa Hämeenmaan Sale-ketjun esimiehiä tulevaisuuden osaamistarpeista. Tilastollinen aineisto koostui osaamistarpeiden kartoituksessa käytetystä kyselystä. Tutkimuksessa tulevaisuuden osaamisen tarve eroaa tutkijoiden esittämästä näkemyksestä ja painottuu asenne osaamiseen. Sale-ketjun asenne osaamisissa vahvuuksia ovat: sitoutuminen omaan työhön ja halu oppia. Ammattiosaamiset kuten hyllytys ja kassatyö ovat myös vahvuuksia. 2013 vuoden tutkimuksessa suurimmat kehitystarpeet olivat tilausjärjestelmien hallitsemisessa sekä kilpailuetuosaamisissa. Yksiköiden välissä tarkastelussa löytyi selkeitä eroja, mutta erot eivät olleet riippuvaisia yksikön koosta tai työryhmän keski-iästä. Tutkimuksen tuloksena jokaiselle yksikölle tuotettiin yhteenveto sen hetkisestä osaamisesta, selvittäen vahvuudet ja kehittämisalueet. Näiden pohjalta tehtiin yksiköille kehityssuunnitelmat sekä jokaiselle työntekijälle henkilökohtainen kehityssuunnitelma kehityskeskustelun yhteydessä. Tämän tutkimuksen mukaan osaaminen, työtyytyväisyys ja asiakastyytyväisyys korreloivat keskenään. Yksikössä, jossa on hyvä osaaminen, ovat myös työtyytyväisyys ja asiakaspalvelu kunnossa. Vaikuttava tekijä taustalla on johtaminen. Esimiehet, jotka jakavat vastuuta työryhmässään saavuttivat osaamisessa suurempaa kehitystä kuin ne esimiehet, jotka eivät vastuuta jakaneet. Päivittäistavarakauppa on murroksessa tällä hetkellä ja tulevaisuuden osaamistarpeet ovat muuttuneet jo tämän tutkimuksen aikana. Vuonna 2014 toteutettiin sama kartoitus kuin vuonna 2013 ja voitiin todeta osaamistarpeen muuttuneen. Kustannustietous ja kriisienhallinta ovat työryhmien arkea ja osaamisalueet kuten työssä jaksaminen, ripeys ja muutosvalmius ovat korostuneet vuoden aikana. Henkilöstöjohtamisen luonteessa on myös havaittavissa muutoksia, kauaskantoinen tekeminen on muuttunut ketteräksi ja joustavaksi strategiseksi kumppanuudeksi. Osaamista johdetaan edelleen hyvin perinteisin menetelmin, johtaminen on vain entistä kohdennetumpaa. Tutkimuksessa syntyi kuvaava malli henkilöstöjohtamisen luonteesta sekä kaupanalan osaamistarpeesta 2014.

Chance of psychiatric morbidity amongst recently diagnosed cancer outpatients attending a chemotherapy unit

The prevalent rate of psychiatry morbidity amongst patients with cancer reported in various studies ranges from 5 to 50%, a variation that can be attributed to differences in sample size, the disease itself and treatment factors. The objectives of the present study were to determine the frequency of psychiatric morbidity amongst recently diagnosed cancer outpatients and try to identify which factors might be related to further psychological distress. Two hundred and eleven (70.9%) female patients and 87 (29.1%) male patients from the chemotherapy unit of the Cancer Hospital A.C. Camargo (São Paulo) completed a questionnaire that featured data on demographic, medical and treatment details. The Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) was administered to the patients to determine their personal psychiatric morbidity. Seventy-two patients (25.8%) scored > or = 8 in the SRQ-20, the cut-off point for a patient to be considered a psychiatric case. When the low and high scoring groups were compared no differences were detected regarding age, marital status, tumor site, sex, or previous treatment. Nonetheless, patients in the lowest social class and those who were bedridden less than 50% of the time had a significantly higher probability of being a psychiatric case. Regarding help-seeking behavior in situations in which they had doubts or were frightened, about 64% of the total sample did not seek any type of support and did not talk to anyone. This frequency of psychiatric morbidity agrees with data from the cancer literature. According to many investigators, the early detection of a comorbid psychiatric disorder is crucial to relieve a patient's suffering.