Soursop seedlings: emergence and development under different cultivation environments and substrates – Part I

ABSTRACT Seedling quality is crucial to obtain vigorous plants in the field. This study aims to evaluate the emergence and development of soursop seedlings in different substrates in protected environments. The experiment was conducted at the Mato Grosso do Sul State University and carried out using five protected environments: greenhouse, greenhouse with thermo-reflective screen, nursery with monofilament screen, nursery with thermo-reflective screen, and nursery with palm thatch. The substrates (S) consisted of cattle manure (M), humus (H), cassava branches (C), and vermiculite (V) as in the following ratios: S1 = H + V (1:3), S2 = H + V (1:1), S3 = H + V (3:1), S4 = H + C (1:3), S5 = H + C (1:1), S6 = H + C (3:1), S7 = M + V (1:3), S8 = M + V (1:1), S9 = M + V (3:1), S10 = M + C (1:3), S11 = M + C (1:1), S12 = M + C (3:1), S13 = H + M + V (1:1:1), S14 = H + M + C (1:1:1), and S15 = H + M + V + C (1:1:1:1). For the statistical analysis, each of those environments was considered as an experiment in which was used the completely randomized design; subsequently, it was performed a combined analysis of them. In summary, the greenhouse with thermo-reflective screen and combined substrates with “M + V” promote greater development of the seedlings. High concentrations of “V” or “C” cause no beneficial effect on soursop seedlings.

Origem e distribuição do nervo isquiático no veado-catingueiro (Mazama gouazoubira)

Este estudo teve como objetivo descrever a origem e a distribuição do nervo isquiático no veado-catingueiro (Mazama gouazoubira). Dois animais da espécie, obtidos post mortem por atropelamento em rodovia, foram utilizados para o estudo, obedecendo aos critérios da Lei Vigente (Lei 1.153/95). Através da dissecação, a pele foi completamente removida e os animais foram fixados em solução aquosa de formaldeído a 10%. Através de um acesso dorso-lateral, os músculos glúteo superficial, bíceps femoral e glúteo médio foram seccionados no seu local de inserção e rebatidos. Desta forma foi possível visualizar a origem e a distribuição do nervo isquiático, em ambos os antímeros dos animais. As imagens foram registradas com câmera fotográfica digital (Câmera Sony a200, 10.2mpx) e os resultados foram descritos com base na Nomina Anatômica Veterinária. Os dados da origem do nervo isquiático nos dois espécimes estudados mostraram que esta ocorre a partir dos ramos ventrais de L6 e S1, podendo ter contribuição de S2. Após a sua emergência pelo forame isquiático maior, em ambos os antímeros, o nervo isquiático fornece ramos para suprir os músculos glúteo médio, glúteo profundo, glúteo superficial, gluteobíceps, bíceps da coxa, semimembranoso, semitendinoso e gastrocnêmio. Próximo ao meio da coxa o nervo isquiático divide-se em nervo tibial e nervo fibular comum os quais inervam os músculos da região distal do membro pélvico. Além disso, o nervo cutâneo caudal da sura pode se originar dos nervos fibular comum ou do nervo tibial. Em conclusão, nos espécimes de Mazama gouazoubira estudados, o nervo isquiático teve sua origem a partir dos ramos ventrais espinais de L6 e S1, podendo ou não ter a contribuição de S2. Na sua distribuição originam-se o nervo glúteo caudal, o nervo cutâneo femoral caudal e ramos musculares, que, conjuntamente inervam os músculos glúteo médio, glúteo profundo, glúteo superficial, gluteobíceps, bíceps da coxa, semitendinoso, semimembranoso, adutor e gastrocnêmio. Distalmente o nervo isquiático bifurca-se Em nervo tibial e fibular comum, os quais inervam a porção distal do membro pélvico.

Clinical aspects and dynamics of auricular parasitosis in Gir cattle

We evaluated the dynamics of ear infestations caused by Rhabditis spp. and Raillietia spp., which were correlated with animal age, intensity of clinical signs and climate factors. Sixty-four Gir cattle were distributed into three groups: GA - 23 calves with 4 to 6 months of age; GB - 18 calves with 7 to 12 months of age; and GC - 23 heifers with 13 to 33 months of age. Five samplings, defined as S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5 were performed every three months from August 2008 to August 2009. The ear secretion was collected using the auricular washing method for the right ear and a swab for the left ear. A clinical assessment of the animals was performed, and they were classified according to the presence and severity of otitis. The highest relative frequency of rhabditosis was 52.2% in GC at the last sampling. In the first sampling, 42.2% of the animals were infested by Raillietia spp. The older cattle were more susceptible to infestations by both parasites. No correlation of Rhabditis spp. and Raillietia spp. parasitism with climate factors was found. The results showed that both parasites could infest Gir cattle, and in most cases, there was no co-infestation. Only older animals parasitized by the nematode showed clinical signs of the disease.

Auscultatory and electrocardiographic characteristics of Crioulo horses

In order to determine auscultatory and electrocardiographic characteristics of Crioulo horses, one hundred animals ranging between one and twenty-six years of age (21 stallions, nine geldings, 27 pregnant mares e 43 not pregnant mares) were evaluated. The cardiac auscultation was performed during the clinical examination of the cardiovascular system, evaluating frequency, rate, normal and abnormal heart sounds (heart murmurs). The electrocardiographic examination followed the bipolar base-apex derivative system with animals at rest, by using an ECG-PC TEB equipment. The cardiac frequency, heart rate, morphology, duration, wave and complex amplitudes and interval durations were determined. The results were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey tests with an error probability of 5%. The cardiac auscultation revealed presence of functional systolic and diastolic murmur (10.00%) and systolic murmur compatible with tricuspid regurgitation besides normal heart sounds S1 (100.0%), S2 (100.0%), S3 (19.0%) and S4 (34.0%). The cardiac frequency obtained the average of 43.64 bpm, observing significative differences in relation to sexual and age factors and training level. The sinus rhythm was the most frequent (57.00%), followed by sinus tachycardia (38.00%) and sinus arrhythmia (5.00%), being observed rhythm disturbances in 16% of tracings. The P and T waves were observed more frequently in their forms P bifida positive (95.00%) and biphasic T (91.00%), being variable at tracing. There were also observed Q waves in 12.00% of the tracings. Thus, it was concluded that the auscultatory characteristics of Crioulo horses are according to the described in the literature for the species and the sexual factor, category, age factor and training level can influence some electrocardiographic parameters.

Substâncias químicas com atividades alelopáticas presentes nas folhas de Parkia pendula (Leguminosae)

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram isolar, identificar e caracterizar a atividade alelopática de substâncias químicas produzidas por Parkia pendula. Os efeitos alelopáticos foram avaliados sobre a germinação de sementes e o desenvolvimento da radícula das plantas daninhas malícia (Mimosa pudica) e mata-pasto (Senna obtusifolia). O processo de isolamento das substâncias envolveu a extração com solvente em ordem crescente de polaridade, e a elucidação estrutural foi realizada via Ressonância Magnética Nuclear, espectro de COSY e de HETCOR. Os bioensaios foram desenvolvidos em condições controladas de 25 ºC de temperatura e fotoperíodo de 12 (germinação) e 24 horas (desenvolvimento da radícula). Foram isolados e identificados nas folhas da P. pendula os seguintes aleloquímicos: ácido 3,4,5-trimetoxibenzóico (S1), ácido 3,4-dimetoxibenzóico (S2) e o Blumenol A (S3). Comparativamente, S1 e S2 apresentaram maior atividade alelopática. Os efeitos promovidos sobre o desenvolvimento da radícula foram de maior magnitude do que aqueles verificados sobre a germinação das sementes. As substâncias isoladas mostraram baixo potencial inibitório da germinação das sementes, especialmente as sementes de mata-pasto. Os efeitos alelopáticos inibitórios estiveram positivamente associados à concentração das substâncias, embora em alguns casos esses efeitos não tenham correspondido às diferenças estatísticas.

Proposta metodológica para análise da ocorrência de sinergismo e efeitos potencializadores entre aleloquímicos

Os procedimentos envolvendo a análise de sinergismo entre aleloquímicos têm envolvido, basicamente, a utilização de concentrações fixas. Neste trabalho, propõe-se um modelo teórico envolvendo quatro possibilidades de respostas: uma que demonstra a existência de sinergismo (possibilidade A do modelo); outra que revela a inexistência de sinergismo (possibilidade B do modelo); e duas que revelam que uma substância potencializa o efeito de outra (possibilidades C e D do modelo). Para efeito de teste do modelo, utilizaram-se duas substâncias químicas (ácido 3,4,5-trimetoxibenzóico [S1] e ácido verátrico [S2]) isoladas das folhas de Parkia pendula, com atividade alelopática já comprovada, nas seguintes proporções: S1 pura, S2 pura e combinações de S1 e S2, nas seguintes proporções: 3:1, 1:1 e 1:3. Como plantas indicadoras foram utilizadas as plantas daninhas malícia (Mimosa pudica) e mata-pasto (Senna obtusifolia). Os resultados, analisados em relação às quatro possibilidades estabelecidas no modelo teórico, permitiram inferir a inexistência de efeitos sinérgicos entre as duas substâncias testadas. As variações entre os resultados obtidos e a possibilidade B do modelo podem ser atribuídas ao potencial inibitório da substância e à sensibilidade das espécies receptoras às substâncias testadas.

Glyphosate sobre a resistência à ferrugem (Puccinia psidii) do eucalipto

O glyphosate é o herbicida mais usado no controle de plantas daninhas em eucalipto, atuando diretamente na rota do ácido chiquímico, principal via de formação de compostos ligados aos mecanismos de defesa das plantas, como: lignina, ácido salicítico e fitoalexinas. Assim, o contato do glyphosate com as folhas do eucalipto pode levar a conseqüências importantes sobre a resistência a doenças. Objetivou-se neste estudo avaliar o envolvimento do glyphosate, via deriva, na severidade da ferrugem causada por Puccinia psidii em genótipos de eucalipto com diferentes níveis de resistência ao patógeno. Para isso, mudas de quatro clones - dois heterozigotos resistentes à ferrugem (UFV01 e UFV02) e dois homozigotos suscetíveis (UFV03 e UFV04) - foram submetidas às subdoses de 0 (testemunha); 28,8; 57,6; 86,4; e 115,2 g ha-1 de glyphosate, simulando deriva. Três dias após a aplicação do glyphosate, as plantas foram inoculadas com o isolado monopustular UFV1 de P. psidii, obtido de Eucalyptus grandis, na região de Itapetininga, SP. Aos 21 dias após a inoculação, foram avaliados a severidade de ferrugem, utilizando-se uma escala diagramática com quatro classes (S0 e S1 resistentes à ferrugem e S2 e S3 suscetíveis), o número de pústulas cm-2 de área foliar, a área foliar lesionada pela ferrugem, o número médio de urediniósporos cm-2 de área foliar, o número médio de urediniósporos/pústula e a porcentagem de intoxicação pelo glyphosate. O clone UFV04 foi o mais sensível ao glyphosate, enquanto o UFV01 apresentou maior tolerância ao herbicida. O glyphosate não alterou o nível de resistência à ferrugem nos genótipos resistentes (UFV01 e UFV02) que apresentaram ausência de pústulas nas folhas, tanto em plantas expostas à deriva quanto nas testemunhas. Para os demais clones, manteve-se a suscetibilidade à ferrugem, embora, com o aumento das doses de glyphosate, tenha se observado diminuição da severidade da doença. Conclui-se que o glyphosate não afetou a resistência do eucalipto a Puccinia psidii, ocorrendo diminuição da severidade da doença em plantas expostas ao glyphosate via deriva, e que existe tolerância diferencial entre os clones ao herbicida.

A 28-fold increase in secretory protein synthesis is associated with DNA puff activity in the salivary gland of Bradysia hygida (Diptera, Sciaridae)

When the first group of DNA puffs is active in the salivary gland regions S1 and S3 of Bradysia hygida larvae, there is a large increase in the production and secretion of new salivary proteins demonstrable by [3H]-Leu incorporation. The present study shows that protein separation by SDS-PAGE and detection by fluorography demonstrated that these polypeptides range in molecular mass from about 23 to 100 kDa. Furthermore, these proteins were synthesized mainly in the S1 and S3 salivary gland regions where the DNA puffs C7, C5, C4 and B10 are conspicuous, while in the S2 region protein synthesis was very low. Others have shown that the extent of amplification for DNA sequences that code for mRNA in the DNA puffs C4 and B10 was about 22 and 10 times, respectively. The present data for this group of DNA puffs are consistent with the proposition that gene amplification is necessary to provide some cells with additional gene copies for the production of massive amounts of proteins within a short period of time (Spradling AC and Mahowald AP (1980) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, 77: 1096-1100).

The early facilitatory effect of a peripheral spatially noninformative prime stimulus depends on target stimulus features

We investigated the dependency of the early facilitatory effect of a prime stimulus (S1) on the physical characteristics of the target stimulus (S2). A go-no go reaction time paradigm was used. The S1 was a gray ring and the S2s were a white vertical line, a white horizontal line, a white cross and a white small ring, all inside a white ring with the same dimensions as the S1. S1 onset-S2 onset asynchrony was 100 ms. The stimuli appeared randomly in any one of the quadrants of a monitor screen. The S2 could occur at the same position as the S1 or at a different one. We observed a strong facilitatory effect when the vertical line or the horizontal line was the go stimulus and no effect when the cross was the go stimulus. These results show that the features of the target stimulus can be decisive for the appearance of the facilitatory effect of a peripheral spatially noninformative prime stimulus.

Inhibition of return, gap effect and saccadic reaction time to a visual target

Simple manual reaction time (MRT) to a visual target (S2) is shortened when a non-informative cue (S1) is flashed at the S2 location shortly before the onset of S2 (early facilitation). Afterwards, MRT to S2 appearing at the S1 location is lengthened (inhibition of return - IOR). Similar results have been obtained for saccadic reaction time (SRT). Moreover, when there is a temporal gap between offset of the fixation point (FP) and onset of a target (gap paradigm), SRT is shorter than SRT in an overlap paradigm (FP remains on). In the present study, we determined SRT to S2 (10º) after presenting S1 at the same eccentricity (10º) or at a parafoveal position (2º) in the same or in the opposite hemifield. In addition, we employed both gap and overlap paradigms. Twelve subjects were asked not to respond to S1 (2º or 10º) to the right or to the left of FP, but to respond by making a saccadic movement in response to S2. We obtained the following results: 1) a 40-ms gap effect, 2) an interaction between gap effect and IOR, 3) a 39-ms delay (IOR) when S2 appeared at the cued (S1) position, and 4) a smaller (17 ms) but significant inhibition when S1 occurred at 2º in the ipsilateral hemifield. Thus, a parafoveal (2º) S1 elicits an inhibition of SRT towards ipsilateral peripheral targets. Since an inhibition of the ipsilateral hemifield by a 1º eccentric cue has been reported to occur when manual responses are employed, we suggest that the postulated functional link between covert and overt orienting of attention is also valid for parafoveal cues.

Mun ajokortin ja Anglian pilvet vei poliisi. Mitä alkeisjatkotason suomenoppijat ymmärtävät autenttisesta tekstistä?

Tässä suomi toisena ja vieraana kielenä -alan pro gradu -työssäni tutkin viiden Ranskassa ja viiden Suomessa suomea opiskelevan alkeisjatkotason oppijan sanaston-hallinnallisia valmiuksia ymmärtää suomenkielisiä autenttisia tekstejä. Ryhmät lukivat lyhyen ulkomaanuutisen Meksikon vankilamellakoista ja Leevi and The Leavingsin laulun ”Teuvo, maanteiden kuningas” sanat. Analysoin oppijoiden sanastonhallintaa ensin laadullisesti selvittääkseni, millaiset lekseemit olivat informanteilleni tutuimpia ja millaiset vieraimpia. Seuraavaksi tutkin, kuinka suuren osan tekstien saneista informantit ymmärsivät ja millaiseen tekstin ymmärtämiseen nämä sanemäärät riittivät. Olen vertaillut ryhmien tuloksia toisiinsa ja suhteuttanut tulokset myös kandidaatin-tutkielmassani (Hokkanen 2011) tarkastelemieni alle vuoden suomea Suomessa opiskelleiden alkeistason oppijoiden tuloksiin. Oletusteni mukaisesti alkeisjatkotason informantit tunnistivat teksteistä pääosin keskenään samoja, frekventtejä sanoja, joista suurin osa on substantiiveja. Vieraimmiksi jääneet lekseemit ovat joko harvafrekvenssisiä, esiintyvät teksteissä vaikeassa taivutusmuodossa, kontekstissa tai merkityksessä tai sekoittuivat toisiin foneettisesti tai semanttisesti samankaltaisiin sanoihin. Odotusteni vastaisesti kaikki alkeisjatkotason oppijat eivät ymmärtäneet tekstien pääkohtia. Yksittäiset alkeisjatkotason informantit tunnistivat tekstien saneista 36–83 %. Matalimmat saneidentunnistustulokset olivat lähellä alkeistason oppijoiden tasoa ja riittivät lähinnä tekstien aihepiirien karkeaan luonnehdintaan. Uutisteksti osoittautui odotetusti helpommaksi kuin laululyriikat. Laulun sanoituksista tunnistettiin parhaimmillaankin vain noin 60 %, mikä riitti joidenkin yksityiskohtien muttei kokonaisuuden hahmottamiseen. Noin 70 % uutis-tekstin saneista tunnistaneet informantit ymmärsivät jo suurimman osan uutisen pää-kohdista ja 83 % uutistekstistä ymmärtänyt informantti kaikki pääkohdat. Yhdistämällä sanavarastonsa ja lukemalla tekstit ryhmänä molemmat ryhmät olisivat saavuttaneet korkeammat saneidentunnistustulokset. Suomi toisena kielenä -oppimisympäristöllä on aineistoni perusteella hieman vieraan kielen ympäristöä suurempi positiivinen vaikutus sanaston laajuuteen, mutta vahvemmin sanastonhallintaa tukevat opiskelun kesto sekä oppijan halu ja mahdollisuudet käyttää suomea vuorovaikutuksessa natiivien kanssa. Tutkimukseni perusteella autenttisten tekstien käyttö alkeisjatkotason oppijoiden opetuksessa on mielekästä, kunhan tekstit valitaan huolella: selkeä rakenne ja toistuva sanasto tukevat tekstin ymmärtämistä. Oppijoille kannattanee antaa harkittuja apukeinoja tekstien käsittelyyn. Lisätutkimusta tarvitaan siitä, millaisiin oppimis-tuloksiin autenttisten tekstien säännöllinen käyttö suomenopiskelun alkuvaiheista alkaen johtaisi. Myös oppijoiden ja opettajien asennoituminen autenttiseen oppimateriaaliin sekä erilaisten apukeinojen käytön hyödyllisyys autenttisten materiaalien käsittelyssä olisivat antoisia jatkotutkimuskohteita, joista monet alkavat S2-opettajat hyötyisivät.

Deinking sludge utilization possibilities: technical, economic, and environmental assessments

This report introduces the ENPI project called “EMIR - Exploitation of Municipal and Industrial Residues” which was executed in a co-operation between Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT), Saint Petersburg State University of Economics (SPbSUE), Saint Petersburg State Technical University of Plant Polymers (SPbSTUPP) and industrial partners from both Leningrad Region (LR), Russia and Finland. The main targets of the research were to identify the possibilities for deinking sludge management scenarios in co-operation with partner companies, to compare the sustainability of the alternatives, and to provide recommendations for the companies in the Leningrad Region on how to best manage deinking sludge. During the literature review, 24 deinking sludge utilization possibilities were identified, the majority falling under material recovery. Furthermore, 11 potential utilizers of deinking sludge were found within the search area determined by the transportation cost. Each potential utilizer was directly contacted in order to establish cooperation for deinking sludge utilization. Finally, four companies, namely, “Finnsementti” – a cement plant in Finland (S1), “St.Gobian Weber” – a light-weight aggregate plant in Finland (S2), “LSR-Cement” – a cement plant in LR (S3), and “Rockwool” – a stone wool plant in LR (S4) were seen as the most promising partners and were included in the economic and environmental assessments. Economic assessment using cost-benefit analysis (CBA) indicated that substitution of heavy fuel oil with dry deinking sludge in S2 was the most feasible option with a benefit/cost ratio (BCR) of 3.6 when all the sludge was utilized. At the same time, the use of 15% of the total sludge amount (the amount that could potentially be treated in the scenario) resulted in a BCR of only 0.16. The use of dry deinking sludge in the production of cement (S3) is a slightly more feasible option with a BCR of 1.1. The use of sludge in stone wool production is feasible only when all the deinking sludge is used and burned in an existing incineration plant. The least economically feasible utilization possibility is the use of sludge in cement production in Finland (S1) due to the high gate fee charged. Environmental assessment was performed applying internationally recognized life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies: ISO 14040 and ISO 14044. The results of a consequential LCA stated that only S1 and S2 lead to a reduction of all environmental impacts within the impact categories chosen compared to the baseline scenario where deinking sludge is landfilled. Considering S1, the largest reduction of 13% was achieved for the global warming potential (GWP), whereas for S2, the largest decrease of abiotic depletion potential (ADP) was by 1.7%, the eutrophication potential (EP) by 1.8%, and a GWP of 2.1% was documented. In S3, the most notable increase of ADP and acidification potential (AP) by 2.6 and 1.5% was indicated, while the GWP was reduced by 12%, the largest out of all the impact categories. In S4, ADP and AP increased by 2.3 and 2.1% respectively, whereas ODP was reduced by 25%. During LCA, it was noticed that substitution of fuels causes a greater reduction of environmental impact (S1 and S2) than substitution of raw materials (S3 and S4). Despite a number of economically and environmentally acceptable deinking sludge utilization methods being assessed in the research, evaluation of bottlenecks and communications with companies’ representatives uncovered the fact that the availability of the raw materials consumed, and the risks associated with technological problems resulting from the sludge utilization, limited the willingness of industrial partners to start deinking sludge utilization. The research results are of high value for decision-makers at already existing paper mills since the result provide insights regarding alternatives to the deinking sludge utilization possibilities already applied. Thus, the research results support the maximum economic and environmental value recovery from waste paper utilization.

Kireää pintaa ja ammattitaitoisia kokeita. Konteksti, frekvenssi ja fonologinen läpinäkyvyys suomen kielen homonyymisten sanamuotojen tulkinnassa

Tutkimuksessa selvitellään kirjallisen testin avulla kontekstin, frekvenssin ja fonologisen läpinäkyvyyden vaikutusta suomen kielen homonyymisten sananmuotojen (esim. kokeista, pinnassa, suojaisin) tulkintaan. Testi pohjautuu Klaus Laalon (1990) homo-nyymisten sananmuotojen luokitukseen ja rakentuu perusmuotojen nimeämisen varaan. Homonyymiset sananmuodot (yht. 36 muotoa) esiintyvät joko kontekstissa tai kontekstitta, ja tehtävänannossa joko on tai ei ole viitattu muotojen monitulkintaisuuteen. Kontekstit ovat lisäksi joko rajaavia (sallivat vain yhden tulkinnan) tai neutraaleja (mahdollistavat useamman tulkinnan). Testiin on osallistunut yhteensä 57 yläkoululaista ja lukiolaista (50 suomenkielistä ja 7 S2-oppijaa). Tutkimuksessa selvitetään, vaikuttavatko konteksti, frekvenssi ja fonologinen läpinäkyvyys siihen, missä määrin homonyymisten sananmuotojen eri merkitykset oivalletaan ja millä perustein homonyymisten sananmuotojen tulkinta määräytyy silloin, kun vaihtoehtoisista merkityksistä oivalletaan vain jokin. Erityisen huomion kohteena on homonyymien tulkinta rajaavassa kontekstissa: ohjaako konteksti automaattisesti oikeaan tulkintaan, ja jäävätkö kontekstiin sopimattomat merkitykset huomaamatta (vrt. Laalo 1982: 7; 1990: 12), vai aktivoituvatko merkitykset kattavasti? Kysymyksenasettelu on psykolingvistinen, ja työssä myös Laalon (1982: 7; 1990: 12) näkemystä suhteutetaan homonyymien prosessoinnista tehtyyn tutkimukseen. Tulosten perusteella homonyymisten sananmuotojen monitulkintaisuus oivalletaan parhaiten silloin, kun muodot esiintyvät ilman kontekstia ja tehtävänanto ohjaa vaihtoehtoisten merkitysten pohdintaan; muulloin niiden monitulkintaisuus jää pitkälti huomaamatta – jopa silloin, kun monitulkintaisuudella leikitellään. Monitulkintaisuuden havaitseminen ei myöskään riippunut frekvenssistä eikä läpinäkyvyydestä, jotka kuitenkin vaikuttivat siihen, mitä perusmuotoa vain yhden tulkinnan oivaltaneet informantit suosivat. Rajaavassa kontekstissa homonyymiset sananmuodot tulkittiin usein kontekstinvastaisesti. Erityisen paljon virhetulkintoja esiintyi S2-oppijoilla ja yläkoululaisilla, ja ne kasautuivat konteksteihin, joissa kontekstuaalisesti oikea tulkinta vastasi homonyymisen sananmuodon harvinaisempaa merkitystä. Tulkinnan ratkaisi siis frekvenssi, eivät kontekstuaaliset vihjeet. Laalon (1982: 7; 1990: 12) hypoteesin voi kuitenkin katsoa toteutuvan niissä rajaavissa konteksteissa, joissa kontekstinmukainen tulkinta vastasi homonyymisen sananmuodon yleisempää merkitystä.

Funktionaalisuus ja formaalisuus suomi toisena kielenä -opetuksessa. Opettajien ja opiskelijoiden haastattelukyselyn ja opiskelijoiden testitehtävän analyysi

Pro gradu -tutkielmani käsittelee funktionaalisuutta ja formaalisuutta suomi toisena kielenä -opetuksessa. Tutkimus on kvalitatiivis-kvantitatiivinen analyysi, ja se koostuu kolmesta eri osasta: S2-opettajien haastattelun tuloksista, S2-oppijoiden haastattelun tuloksista ja S2-oppijoiden tekemän oppimistuloksia mittaavan testitehtävän tuloksista. S2-opettajien haastattelu kartoittaa sitä, missä määrin vastaajat käyttävät suomi toisena kielenä -opetuksessa formaalisen ja funktionaalisen kielenopetuksen menetelmiä sekä sitä, missä määrin nämä menetelmät vastaavat opettajien edustamaa opetusnäkemystä. Tutkimukseen osallistui 30 S2-opettajaa eri puolilta Suomea ja ulkomailta. S2-oppijoiden haastattelussa analysoin sitä, toivovatko vastaajat saavansa ennemmin formaalista vai funktionaalista S2-opetusta ja miten heidän aiemmat kokemuksensa S2-opetuksesta suhteutuvat näiden lähestymistapojen periaatteisiin. Lisäksi opiskelijoiden tuli arvioida omaa rooliaan oppijoina funktionaalisuuden ja formaalisuuden näkökulmasta. S2-oppijoiden testitehtävän analyysissä puolestaan vertailen opiskelijoiden oppimistuloksia prolatiivin reseptiivisessä ja produktiivisessa hallinnassa sen jälkeen, kun he ovat tutustuneet joko formaaliseen tai funktionaaliseen itseopiskelumateriaaliin. Haastatteluun ja testitehtävän tekoon osallistui 22 S2-oppijaa. Kaikki aineisto on kerätty keväällä 2010. Haastattelukyselyn tuloksista käy ilmi, että vastaajien näkemykset S2-opetuksen lähestymistapojen toimivuudesta ovat monipuolisesti sekä funktionaalisen että formaalisen suuntauksen mukaisia. Opettajien haastatteluvastauksissa painottuu opetuksen funktionaalisuus hieman enemmän kuin formaalisuus, ja suurin osa (60 %) opettajista vastasi myös eksplisiittisesti olevansa ennemmin funktionaalisen kuin formaalisen opetusnäkemyksen edustaja. Opiskelijoiden kohdalla haastattelukyselyn tulokset osoittavat, että he arvostavat opetuksessa yhtä lailla sekä funktionaalisia että formaalisia menetelmiä ja sisältöjä, kenties jopa formaalista lähestymistapaa suosien. Funktionaalisen ja formaalisen testitehtävän tulokset osoittavat, että formaalisen itseopiskelumateriaalin saanut ryhmä selvisi aukko- ja lauseselitystehtävästä huomattavasti paremmin. Tämä voi kertoa formaalisen lähestymistavan eduista rakenneasioita opetettaessa. Toisaalta funktionaalisen materiaalin saanut ryhmä osoitti kuitenkin prolatiivin hyvää reseptiivistä hallintaa itseopiskelumateriaalin yhteydessä olleissa alustavissa tehtävissä. Testissä ei myöskään tutkittu sitä, onko lähestymistapojen välillä eroa prolatiivin hallinnassa pitkällä aikavälillä.

New methods for controlling twin configurations and characterizing twin boundaries in 5M Ni-Mn-Ga for the development of applications

Traditional methods for studying the magnetic shape memory (MSM) alloys Ni-Mn-Ga include subjecting the entire sample to a uniform magnetic field or completely actuating the sample mechanically. These methods have produced significant results in characterizing the MSM effect, the properties of Ni-Mn-Ga and have pioneered the development of applications from this material. Twin boundaries and their configuration within a Ni-Mn-Ga sample are a key component in the magnetic shape memory effect. Applications that are developed require an understanding of twin boundary characteristics and, more importantly, the ability to predictably control them. Twins have such a critical role that the twinning stress of a Ni-Mn-Ga crystal is the defining characteristic that indicates its quality and significant research has been conducted to minimize this property. This dissertation reports a decrease in the twinning stress, predictably controlling the twin configuration and characterizing the dynamics of twin boundaries. A reduction of the twinning stress is demonstrated by the discovery of Type II twins within Ni-Mn-Ga which have as little as 10% of the twinning stress of traditional Type I twins. Furthermore, new methods of actuating a Ni-Mn-Ga element using localized unidirectional or bidirectional magnetic fields were developed that can predictably control the twin configuration in a localized area of a Ni-Mn-Ga element. This method of controlling the local twin configuration was used in the characterization of twin boundary dynamics. Using a localized magnetic pulse, the velocity and acceleration of a single twin boundary were measured to be 82.5 m/s and 2.9 × 107 m/s2, and the time needed for the twin boundary to nucleate and begin moving was less than 2.8 μs. Using a bidirectional magnetic field from a diametrically magnetized cylindrical magnet, a highly reproducible and controllable local twin configuration was created in a Ni-Mn-Ga element which is the fundamental pumping mechanism in the MSM micropump that has been co-invented and extensively characterized by the author.