Generations and turnout : The generational effect in electoral participation in Finland

The relationship between age and turnout has been curve-linear as electoral participation first increases with age, remains relatively stable throughout middle-age and then gradually declines as certain physical infirmities set in (see e.g. Milbrath 1965). Alongside this life-cycle effect in voting, recent pooled cross-sectional analyses (see e.g. Blais et al. 2004; Lyons and Alexander 2000) have shown that there is also a generational effect, referring to lasting differences in turnout between various age groups. This study firstly examines the extent to which the generational effect applies in the Finnish context. Secondly, it investigates the factors accounting for that effect. The first article, based on individual-level register data from the parliamentary elections of 1999, shows that turnout differences between the different age groups would be even larger if there were no differences in social class and education. The second article examines simultaneously the effects of age, generation and period in the Finnish parliamentary elections of 1975-2003 based on pooled data from Finnish voter barometers (N = 8,634). The results show that there is a clear life cycle, generational and period effect. The third article examines the role of political socialisation in accounting for generational differences in electoral participation. Political socialisation is defined as the learning process in which an individual adopts various values, political attitudes, and patterns of actions from his or her environment. The multivariate analysis, based on the Finnish national election study 2003 (N=1,270), indicated that if there were no differences in socialisation between the youngest and the older generations, the difference in turnout would be much larger than if only sex and socioeconomic factors are controlled for. The fourth article examines other possible factors related to generational effect in voting. The results mainly apply to the Finnish parliamentary elections of 2003 in which we have data available. The results show that the sense of duty by far accounts for the generational effect in voting. Political interest, political knowledge and non-parliamentary participation also narrowed the differences in electoral participation between the youngest and the second youngest generations. The implication of the findings is that the lower turnout among the current youth is not a passing phenomenon that will diminish with age. Considering voting a civic duty and understanding the meaning of collective action are both associated with the process of political socialisation which therefore has an important role concerning the generational effect in turnout.

Succinate and malate improve development of hamster eight-cell embryos in vitro: Confirmation of viability by embryo transfer

The in vitro development of hamster preimplantation embryos is supported by non-glucose energy substrates. To investigate the importance of embryonic metabolism, influence of succinate and malate on the development of hamster 8-cell embryos to blastocysts was examined using a chemically defined protein-free modified hamster embryo culture medium-2 (HECM-2m). There was a dose-dependent influence of succinate on blastocyst development; 0.5 mM succinate was optimal (85.1% ± 3.9 vs. 54.5% ± 3.5). In succinate-supplemented HECM-2m, blastocyst development was reduced by omission of lactate (68.5% ± 7.2), but not pyruvate (85.8% ± 6.2) or glutamine (84.1% ± 2.1). Succinate along with either glutamine or lactate or pyruvate poorly supported blastocyst development (28%-58%). Malate also stimulated blastocyst development; 0.01 mM malate was optimal (86.3% ± 2.8). Supplementation of both succinate and malate to HECM-2m supported maximal (100%) blastocyst development, which was inhibited 4-fold by the addition of glucose/phosphate. The mean cell numbers (MCN) of blastocysts cultured in succinate-supplemented HECM-2m was higher (28.3 ± 1.1) than it was for those cultured in the absence of glutamine or pyruvate (range 20-24). The MCN was the highest (33.4 ± 1.6) for blastocysts cultured in succinate-malate-supplemented HECM-2m followed by those in succinate (28.3 ± 1.1) or malate (24.7 ± 0.5) supplemented HECM-2m. Embryo transfer experiments showed that 29.8% (±4.5) of transferred blastocysts cultured in succinate-malate-supplemented HECM-2m produced live births, similar (P > 0.1) to the control transfers of freshly recovered 8-cells (33.5% ± 2.0) or blastocysts (28.9% ± 3.0). These data show that supplementation of succinate and malate to HECM-2m supports 100% development of hamster 8-cell embryos to high quality viable blastocysts and that non-glucose oxidizable energy substrates are the most preferred components in hamster embryo culture medium. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 47:440-447, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Micromolar concentration of pentoxifylline improves development in vitro of hamster 8-cell embryos: conrmation of biological viability by embryo transfer

The inßuence of the sperm motility stimulant pentoxifylline (PF) on preimplantation embryo development in hamsters was evaluated. Eight-cell embryos were cultured in hamster embryo culture medium (HECM)-2, with or without PF (0· 0233·6 mM). There was 90%, 37% and 29% inhibition of blastocyst development by 3·6 (used for human sperm), 0·9 and 0 ·45 mM PF, respectively. However, 23 µM PF (exposed to hamster oocytes during IVF) signicantly (P < 0·05) improved blastocyst development (63· 6% v. 51· 8%); morulae development was, however, not curtailed by 0·45 mM or 0·9 mM PF (51·8%±6·0 or 50·5%±11·3, respectively). Post-implantation viability of PF-treated embryos was assessed by embryo transfer; 43% of 80 PF-treated embryos implanted compared with 40% of 79 control embryos. Of the 9 recipients, 6 females delivered pups (19, i.e. 16% of transferred embryos or 53% of implanted embryos). These data show that in hamsters, continuous presence of PF at 0·45-3·6 mM is detrimental to 8-cell embryo development whereas 23 µM PF improves the development of embryos to viable blastocysts which produce live offspring.

Cellular proliferation, cellular viability, and biocompatibility of HA-ZnO composites

One of the important issues in the development of hydroxyapatite (HA)-based biomaterials is the prosthetic infection, which limits wider use of monolithic HA despite superior cellular response. Recently, we reported that ZnO addition to HA can induce bactericidal property. It is therefore important to assess how ZnO addition influences the cytotoxicity property and cell adhesion/proliferation on HA-ZnO composite surfaces in vitro. In the above perspective, the objective of this study is to investigate the cell type and material composition dependent cellular proliferation and viability of pressureless sintered HA-ZnO composites. The combination of cell viability data as well as morphological observations of cultured human osteoblast-like SaOS2 cells and mouse fibroblast L929 cells suggests that HA-ZnO composites containing 10 Wt % or lower ZnO exhibit the ability to support cell adhesion and proliferation. Both SaOS2 and L929 cells exhibit extensive multidirectional network of actin cytoskeleton and cell flattening on the lower ZnO containing (=10 Wt %) HA-ZnO composites. The in vitro results illustrate how variation in ZnO content can influence significantly the cell vitality, as evaluated using MTT biochemical assay. Also, the critical statistical analysis reveals that ZnO addition needs to be carefully tailored to ensure good in vitro cytocompatibility. The underlying reasons for difference in biological properties are analyzed. It is suggested that surface wettability as well as dissolution of ZnO, both contribute to the observed differences in cellular viability and proliferation. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.

Combining ``chimie douce'' and green principles for the developing world: Improving industrial viability of photocatalytic water remediation

We highlight the need for a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach for the development of cost-effective water remediation methods. Combining ``chimie douce'' and green chemical principles seems essential for making these technologies economically viable and socially relevant (especially in the developing world). A comprehensive approach to water remediation will take into account issues such as nanotoxicity, chemical yield, cost, and ease of deployment in reactors. By considering technological challenges that lie ahead, we will attempt to identify directions that are likely to make photocatalytic water remediation a more global technology than it currently is. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Synergistic effect of static magnetic field and HA-Fe3O4 magnetic composites on viability of S. aureus and E. coli bacteria

In addressing the issue of prosthetic infection, this work demonstrated the synergistic effect of the application of static magnetic field (SMF) and ferrimagnetic substrate properties on the bactericidal property in vitro. This aspect was studied using hydroxyapatite (HA)-xFe(3)O(4) (x=10, 20, and 40 wt.%) substrates, which have different saturation magnetization properties. During bacteria culture experiments, 100 mT SMF was applied to growth medium (with HA-xFe(3)O(4) substrate) in vitro for 30, 120, and 240 min. A combination of MTT assay, membrane rupture assays, live/dead assay, and fluorescence microscopic analysis showed that the bactericidal effect of SMF increases with the exposure duration as well as increasing Fe3O4 content in biomaterial substrates. Importantly, the synergistic bactericidal effect was found to be independent of bacterial cell type, as similar qualitative trend is measured with both gram negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and gram positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) strains. The reduction in E. coli viability was 83% higher on HA-40 Wt % Fe3O4 composite after 4 h exposure to SMF as compared to nonexposed control. Interestingly, any statistically significant difference in ROS was not observed in bacterial growth medium after magnetic field exposure, indicating the absence of ROS enhancement due to magnetic field. Overall, this study illustrates significant role being played by magnetic substrate compositions towards bactericidal property than by magnetic field exposure alone. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 102B: 524-532, 2014.

Enhanced viability of probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii encapsulated by layer-by-layer approach in pH responsive chitosan-dextran sulfate polyelectrolytes

Saccharomyces boulardii was encapsulated by layer-by-layer technique (LbL) using oppositely charged polyelectrolytes, chitosan and dextran sulfate to protect from degradation during its gastrointestinal transit. The protective effect of the coating was evaluated by checking viability after subjecting the coated cells to lyophilisation and simulated gastrointestinal conditions. During lyophilization, coated S. boulardii was found to have an enhanced viability of 7.74 +/- 2.00 log CFU/100 mg (5.62 x 10(6) +/- 2.12 CFU/100 mg) and 5.53 +/- 1.85 log CFU/100 mg (3.46 x 10(5) 1.73 CFU/100 mg) for uncoated cells. On sequential treatment with simulated gastric and intestinal juice, the coated cells had a viability of 4.59 +/- 1.52 log CFU/100 mg (3.8 x 104 +/- 1.52 CFU/100 mg) while only 1.90 +/- 0.80 log CFU/100 mg (0.79 x 102 +/- 0.81 CFU/100 mg) of uncoated cells survived. Confocal studies displayed the selective permeability of the coated cells which plays a significant role in maintaining the integrity and viability of the yeast cells. This clearly indicates that LbL is an efficient protective encapsulation technique and it could be potentially used for improving therapeutic applications of yeast. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated cell viability assessment using a microfluidics based portable imaging flow analyzer

In this work, we report a system-level integration of portable microscopy and microfluidics for the realization of optofluidic imaging flow analyzer with a throughput of 450 cells/s. With the use of a cellphone augmented with off-the-shelf optical components and custom designed microfluidics, we demonstrate a portable optofluidic imaging flow analyzer. A multiple microfluidic channel geometry was employed to demonstrate the enhancement of throughput in the context of low frame-rate imaging systems. Using the cell-phone based digital imaging flow analyzer, we have imaged yeast cells present in a suspension. By digitally processing the recorded videos of the flow stream on the cellphone, we demonstrated an automated cell viability assessment of the yeast cell population. In addition, we also demonstrate the suitability of the system for blood cell counting. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.

Differential viability response of prokaryotes and eukaryotes to high strength pulsed magnetic stimuli

The present study examines the efficacy of a high strength pulsed magnetic field (PMF) towards bacterial inactivation in vitro, without compromising eukaryotic cell viability. The differential response of prokaryotes Staphylococcus aureus (MESA), Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Escherichia coli], and eukaryotes C2C12 mouse myoblasts and human mesenchymal stem cells, hMSCs] upon exposure to varying PMF stimuli (1-4 T, 30 pulses, 40 ms pulse duration) is investigated. Among the prokaryotes, similar to 60% and similar to 70% reduction was recorded in the survival of staphylococcal species and E. coli, respectively at 4 T PMF as evaluated by colony forming unit (CPU) analysis and flow cytometry. A 2-5 fold increase in intracellular ROS (reactive oxygen species) levels suggests oxidative stress as the key mediator in PMF induced bacterial death/injury. The 4 T PMF treated staphylococci also exhibited longer doubling times. Both TEM and fluorescence microscopy revealed compromised membranes of PMF exposed bacteria. Under similar PMF exposure conditions, no immediate cytotoxicity was recorded in C2C12 mouse myoblasts and hMSCs, which can be attributed to the robust resistance towards oxidative stress. The ion interference of iron containing bacterial proteins is invoked to analytically explain the PMF induced ROS accumulation in prokaryotes. Overall, this study establishes the potential of PMF as a bactericidal method without affecting eukaryotic viability. This non-invasive stimulation protocol coupled with antimicrobial agents can be integrated as a potential methodology for the localized treatment of prosthetic infections. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Viability Conditions for a Compartmentalized Protometabolic System: A Semi-Empirical Approach

In this work we attempt to find out the extent to which realistic prebiotic compartments, such as fatty acid vesicles, would constrain the chemical network dynamics that could have sustained a minimal form of metabolism. We combine experimental and simulation results to establish the conditions under which a reaction network with a catalytically closed organization (more specifically, an (M, R)-system) would overcome the potential problem of self-suffocation that arises from the limited accessibility of nutrients to its internal reaction domain. The relationship between the permeability of the membrane, the lifetime of the key catalysts and their efficiency (reaction rate enhancement) turns out to be critical. In particular, we show how permeability values constrain the characteristic time scale of the bounded protometabolic processes. From this concrete and illustrative example we finally extend the discussion to a wider evolutionary context.