R3Mn1.5CuV0.5O9 (R = Y, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu) and Lu3Mn3-3xCu2xVxO9: New noncentro symmetric oxides related to YMnO3

We report formation of new noncentrosymmetric oxides of the formula, R3Mn1.5CuV0.5O9 for R = Y, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu, possessing the hexagonal RMnO3 (space group P6(3)cm) structure. These oxides could be regarded as the x = 0.5 members of a general series R3Mn3-3xCu2xVxO9. Investigation of the Lu-Mn-Cu-V-O system reveals the existence of isostructural solid solution series, Lu3Mn3-3xCu2xVxO9 for 0 < x <= 0.75. Magnetic and dielectric properties of the oxides are consistent with a random distribution of Mn3+, Cu2+ and V5+ atoms that preserve the noncentrosymmetric RMnO3 structure. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Onko tutkijan sukupuolella väliä? : Kemian ja fysiikan alan tutkijoiden ja tohtoriopiskelijoiden tutkijanura IDECAT-verkostossa sukupuoliperspektiivistä.

Tutkimukseni kohteena ovat mies- ja naispuoliset tutkijat ja tohtoriopiskelijat, jotka ovat osallistuneet katalyysitutkimukseen keskittyvän tutkimusverkosto IDECAT:in toimintaan. Tutkielmassani pyrin selvittämään, onko naisten ja miesten tutkijanuran välillä eroa ja jos on, niin minkälainen tämä ero on. Pyrin myös saamaan selville, onko naisten tutkijanuralla esteitä ja esiintyykö tiedeyhteisössä sukupuolesta johtuvaa syrjintää. IDECAT (Integrated Design of Catalytic Nanomaterials for a Sustainable Production) on EU-rahoitteinen, kemian tekniikkaan liittyvään katalyysitutkimukseen keskittyvä tutkimusverkosto, johon kuuluu alan tutkimusyksiköitä ja yliopistoja 12 Euroopan maasta. IDECAT:iin kuuluu noin 500-600 henkilöä. Tutkimukseni pohjautuu kahteen kyselytutkimukseen, jotka toteutettiin Internetissä 2009-2010. Ensimmäinen kyselytutkimus oli vastaajien saatavilla loka-marraskuussa 2009 ja siinä selvitettiin IDECAT:in tutkijoiden ja tohtoriopiskelijoiden tasa-arvotilannetta yleisesti. Kyselyyn vastasi 83 henkilöä, joista 51% oli naisia ja 49 % miehiä. Kyselyssä käytettiin strukturoitua kyselylomaketta ja tulokset analysoitiin kvantitatiivisesti SPSS tilasto-ohjelmalla. Tilastollisena menetelmänä käytän ristiintaulukointia. Toinen kyselytutkimus (jatkokysely) keskittyy tiedeyhteisössä tapahtuvaan sukupuolesta johtuvaan syrjintään ja se oli vastaajien saatavilla huhti-toukokuussa 2010. Jatkokyselyn kysymykset ovat avokysymyksiä ja ne analysoitiin laadullisesti. Jatkokyselyyn vastasi 24 henkilöä, joista 6 kuvasi yksityiskohtaisesti syrjintäkokemuksiaan tiedeyhteisössä. Teoreettisena viitekehyksenä käytän tutkimuksessani Joan Ackerin sukupuolittuneen organisaation teoriaa ja siihen liittyviä, organisaation toiminnassa ilmeneviä sukupuolittuneita prosesseja. Sukupuolittuneet prosessit ovat ajattelutapoja , käytäntöjä ja asenteita, joilla sukupuolet erotetaan toisistaan ja joilla tuotetaan sukupuolten välisiä valtasuhteita. Naisten ja miesten tutkijanuran välillä on aineistossani joitakin merkittäviä eroja. Sukupuolesta johtuva syrjintä on yleistä vastaajien keskuudessa ja naiset ovat kokeneet sitä useammin kuin miehet. 67% naisvastaajista ja 37% miesvastaajista on kokenut sukupuolesta johtuvaa syrjintää. Naisvastaajat myös kokevat miehiä useammin, että he eivät saa riittävästi tukea ja kannustusta esimiehiltään. Lisäksi naisia on pyydetty mukaan tieteelliseen yhteistyöhön miehiä harvemmin. Useimmat muuttujat eivät kuitenkaan tuo eroa sukupuolten välille. Tutkijanaiset kokevat ylenemismahdollisuutensa lähes yhtä hyviksi kuin miehet, naiset ja miehet työskentelevät yhtä usein määräaikaisissa tehtävissä ja naiset työskentelevät kokopäiväisesti lähes yhtä usein kuin miehet. Naiset pitävät perheen ja työn yhdistämistä helppona. Sukupuolittuneita prosesseja ilmenee erityisesti sukupuolten väliseen työnjakoon ja sosiaalisen tuen ja vallan jakoon tiedeyhteisössä liittyvissä tilanteissa. Sukupuolittuneisuus ei kuitenkaan ole totaalista, monien kyselyn muuttujien kohdalla sukupuolittumista tai eroa sukupuolten välille ei tullut. Monet kyselyn muuttujat osoittavatkin, että naiset ja miehet kokevat, että heitä kohdellaan melko tasa-arvoisesti. Tietyillä osa-alueilla epätasa-arvoisen kohtelun kokemukset ovat kuitenkin yleisiä, mikä tuottaa ristiriitaisen kuvan tiedeyhteisön tasa-arvotilanteesta. Tämä voi viitata siihen, että tutkijanaisten ja miesten asemat ja roolit tiedeyhteisössä eivät ole pysyviä ja staattisia, vaan aktiivisessa muutoksen tilassa. Tutkijanaisten asemaa tiedeyhteisössä voidaan lisäksi parantaa reagoimalla ja puuttumalla sukupuolesta johtuvaan syrjintään, pitämällä tasa-arvoasioita esillä sekä kiinnittämällä huomiota johtamiskäytäntöihin, esimerkiksi palkkaamalla lisää naisjohtajia. Avainsanat Keywords: Sukupuolittunut organisaatio, sukupuolittuneet prosessit, kyselytutkimus, kvantitatiivinen tutkimus, tiedeyhteisö, sukupuolisyrjintä, tutkijanaiset, naistutkijat, sukupuolten tasa-arvo, gendered organization, academia, female scientists, gender equality

Breathing, swallowing and voice in laryngeal disorsers

The aim of this work was to examine how breathing, swallowing and voicing are affected in different laryngeal disorders. For this purpose, we examined four different patient groups: patients who had undergone total laryngectomy, anterior cervical decompression (ACD), or injection laryngoplasty with autologous fascia (ILAF), and patients with dyspnea during exercise. We studied the problems and benefits related to the automatic speech valve used for the rehabilitation of speech in laryngectomized patients. The device was given to 14 total laryngectomized patients who used the traditional valve especially well. The usefulness of voice and intelligibility of speech were assessed by speech pathologists. The results demonstrated better performance with the traditional valve in both dimensions. Most of the patients considered the automatic valve a helpful additional device but because of heavier breathing and the greater work needed for speech production, it was not suitable as a sole device in speech rehabilitation. Dysphonia and dysphagia are known complications of ACD. These symptoms are caused due to the stretching of tissue needed during the surgery, but the extent and the recovery from them was not well known before our study. We studied two patient groups, an early group with 50 patients who were examined immediately before and after the surgery and a late group with 64 patients who were examined 3 9 months postoperatively. Altogether, 60% reported dysphonia and 69% dysphagia immediately after the operation. Even though dysphagia and dysphonia often appeared after surgery, permanent problems seldom occurred. Six (12 %) cases of transient and two (3 %) permanent vocal cord paresis were detected. In our third study, the long-term results of ILAF in 43 patients with unilateral vocal cord paralysis were examined. The mean follow-up was 5.8 years (range 3 10). Perceptual evaluation demonstrated improved results for voice quality, and videostroboscopy revealed complete or partial glottal closure in 83% of the patients. Fascia showed to be a stable injection material with good vocal results. In our final study we developed a new diagnostic method for exertional laryngeal dyspnea by combining a cardiovascular exercise test with simultaneous fiberoptic observation of the larynx. With this method, it is possible to visualize paradoxal closure of the vocal cords during inspiration, which is a diagnostic criterion for vocal cord dysfunction (VCD). We examined 30 patients referred to our hospital because of suspicion of exercise-induced vocal cord dysfunction (EIVCD). Twenty seven out of thirty patients were able to perform the test. Dyspnea was induced in 15 patients, and of them five had EIVCD and four high suspicion of EIVCD. With our test it is possible to set an accurate diagnosis for exertional laryngeal dyspnea. Moreover, the often seen unnecessary use of asthma drugs among these patients can be avoided.

Population projection for Namibia 2011-2020 - With an estimation of the impact of HIV/AIDS

This study presents a population projection for Namibia for years 2011–2020. In many countries of sub-Saharan Africa, including Namibia, the population growth is still continuing even though the fertility rates have declined. However, many of these countries suffer from a large HIV epidemic that is slowing down the population growth. In Namibia, the epidemic has been severe. Therefore, it is important to assess the effect of HIV/AIDS on the population of Namibia in the future. Demographic research on Namibia has not been very extensive, and data on population is not widely available. According to the studies made, fertility has been shown to be generally declining and mortality has been significantly increasing due to AIDS. Previous population projections predict population growth for Namibia in the near future, yet HIV/AIDS is affecting the future population developments. For the projection constructed in this study, data on population is taken from the two most recent censuses, from 1991 and 2001. Data on HIV is available from HIV Sentinel Surveys 1992–2008, which test pregnant women for HIV in antenatal clinics. Additional data are collected from different sources and recent studies. The projection is made with software (EPP and Spectrum) specially designed for developing countries with scarce data. The projection includes two main scenarios which have different assumptions concerning the development of the HIV epidemic. In addition, two hypothetical scenarios are made: the first considering the case where HIV epidemic would never have existed and the second considering the case where HIV treatment would never have existed. The results indicate population growth for Namibia. Population in the 2001 census was 1.83 million and is projected to result in 2.38/2.39 million in 2020 in the first two scenarios. Without HIV, population would be 2.61 million and without treatment 2.30 million in 2020. Urban population is growing faster than rural. Even though AIDS is increasing mortality, the past high fertility rates still keep young adult age groups quite large. The HIV epidemic shows to be slowing down, but it is still increasing the mortality of the working-aged population. The initiation of HIV treatment in 2004 in the public sector seems to have had an effect on many projected indicators, diminishing the impact of HIV on the population. For example, the rise of mortality is slowing down.

The prehistory of Suomussalmi, eastern Finland; the first billion years as revealed by isotopes and the composition of granitoid suites

The four papers summarized in this thesis deal with the Archean and earliest Paleoproterozoic granitoid suites observed in the Suomussalmi district, eastern Finland. Geologically, the area belongs to the Kianta Complex of the Western Karelian Terrane in the Karelian Province of the Fennoscandian shield. The inherited zircons up to 3440 Ma old together with Sm Nd and Pb Pb data confirm the existence of previously anticipated Paleoarchean protocrust in Suomussalmi. The general timeline of granitoid magmatism is similar to that of the surrounding areas. TTG magmatism occurred in three distinct phases: ca 2.95 Ga, 2.83 2.78 Ga and 2.76 2.74 Ga. In Suomussalmi the TTGs sensu stricto (K2O/Na2O less than 0.5) belong to the low-HREE type and are interpreted as partial melts of garnet amphibolites, which did not significantly interact with mantle peridotites. Transitional TTGs (K2O/Na2O more than 0.5), present in Suomussalmi and absent from surrounding areas, display higher LILE concentrations, but otherwise closely resemble the TTGs sensu stricto and indicate that recycling of felsic crust commenced in Suomussalmi 200 Ma earlier than in surrounding areas. The youngest TTG phase was coeval with the intrusion of the Likamännikkö quartz alkali feldspar syenite (2741 ± 2 Ma) complex. The complex contains angular fragments of ultrabasic rock, which display considerable compositional heterogeneity and are interpreted as cumulates containing clinopyroxene (generally altered to actinolite), apatite, allanite, epidote, and albite. The quartz alkali feldspar syenite cannot be regarded as alkaline sensu stricto, despite clear alkaline affinities. Within Likamännikkö there are also calcite carbonatite patches, which display mantle-like O- and C-isotope values, as well as trace element characteristics consistent with a magmatic origin, and could thus be among the oldest known carbonatites in the world. Sanukitoid (2.73 2.71 Ga) and quartz diorite suites (2.70 Ga) overlap within error margins and display compositional similarities, but can be differentiated from each other on the basis of higher Ba, K2O and LREE contents of the sanukitoids. The Likamännikkö complex, sanukitoids and quartz diorites are interpreted as originating from the metasomatized mantle and mark the diversification of the granitoid clan after 200 Ma of evolution dominated by the TTG suite. Widespread migmatization and the intrusion of anatectic leucogranitoids as dykes and intrusions of varying size took place at 2.70 2.69 Ga, following collisional thickening of the crust. The leucogranitoids and leucosomes of migmatized TTGs are compositionally alike and characterized by high silica contents and a leucocratic appearance. Due to compositional overlap, definitive discrimination between leucogranitoids and transitional TTGs requires isotope datings and/or knowledge of field relationships. Leucogranitoids represent partial melts of the local TTGs, both the sensu stricto and transitional types, mostly derived under water fluxed conditions, with possible fluid sources being late sanukitoids and quartz diorites as well as dehydrating lower crust. The Paleoproterozoic 2.44 2.39 Ga A-type granitoids of the Kianta Complex emplaced in an extensional environment are linked to the coeval and more widespread mafic intrusions and dykes observed over most of the Archean nucleus of the Fennoscandian shield. The A-type intrusions in the Suomussalmi area are interpreted as partial melts of the Archean lower crust and display differences in composition and magnetite content, which indicate differences in the composition and oxidation state of the source.

Change detection and controlling forest information using multi-temporal Landsat TM imagery.

A method was developed for relative radiometric calibration of single multitemporal Landsat TM image, several multitemporal images covering each others, and several multitemporal images covering different geographic locations. The radiometricly calibrated difference images were used for detecting rapid changes on forest stands. The nonparametric Kernel method was applied for change detection. The accuracy of the change detection was estimated by inspecting the image analysis results in field. The change classification was applied for controlling the quality of the continuously updated forest stand information. The aim was to ensure that all the manmade changes and any forest damages were correctly updated including the attribute and stand delineation information. The image analysis results were compared with the registered treatments and the stand information base. The stands with discrepancies between these two information sources were recommended to be field inspected.

Phase relations in the systems Cu–O–R2O3(R = Tm, Lu) and Gibbs energies of formation of Cu2R2O5 compounds

The phase relations in the systems Cu–O–R2O3(R = Tm, Lu) have been determined at 1273 K by X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy and electron probe microanalysis of samples equilibrated in evacuated quartz ampules and in pure oxygen. Only ternary compounds of the type Cu2R2O5 were found to be stable. The standard Gibbs energies of formation of the compounds have been measured using solid-state galvanic cells of the type, Pt|Cu2O + Cu2R2O5+ R2O3‖(Y2O3)ZrO2‖CuO + Cu2O‖Pt in the temperature range 950–1325 K. The standard Gibbs energy changes associated with the formation of Cu2R2O5 compounds from their binary component oxides are: 2CuO(s)+ Tm2O3(s)→Cu2Tm2O5(s), ΔG°=(10400 – 14.0 T/K)± 100 J mol–1, 2CuO(s)+ Lu2O3(s)→Cu2Lu2O5(s), ΔG°=(10210 – 14.4 T/K)± 100 J mol–1 Since the formation is endothermic, the compounds become thermodynamically unstable with respect to component oxides at low temperatures, Cu2Tm2O5 below 743 K and Cu2Lu2O5 below 709 K. When the chemical potential of oxygen over the Cu2R2O5 compounds is lowered, they decompose according to the reaction, 2Cu2R2O5(s)→2R2O3(s)+ 2Cu2O(s)+ O2(g) The equilibrium oxygen potential corresponding to this reaction is obtained from the emf. Oxygen potential diagrams for the Cu–O–R2O3 systems at 1273 K are presented.

Decomposition temperatures of Cu2Ln2O5 (Ln = Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu) compounds

The equilibrium decomposition temperatures of Cu2Ln2O5 (Ln = Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu) compounds have been measured using a combined DTA-TGA apparatus under a flowing Ar + O2 gas mixture, in which the partial pressure of oxygen was controlled at 5.0 × 103 Pa. The Cu2Ln2O5 compounds yield Ln2O3 and Cu2O on decomposition. The decomposition temperature increases monotonically with the atomic number of the lanthanide element. This suggests that the stability of the Cu2Ln2O5 compounds with respect to the component binary oxides increases with decreasing radius of the Ln3+ ion.

The electrical switching and thermal behavior of bulk Ge(15)Te(85-x)Sn(x) and Ge(17)Te(83-x)Sn(x) glasses

Bulk Ge(15)Te(85 - x)Sn(x) and Ge(17)Te(83 - x)Sn(x) glasses, are found to exhibit memory type electrical switching. The switching voltages (V(t)) and thermal stability of Ge(15)Te(85 - x)Sn(x) and Ge(17)Te(83 - x)Sn(x) glasses are found to decrease with Sn content. The composition dependence of v, has been understood on the basis of the decrease in the OFF state resistance and thermal stability of these glasses with tin addition. X-ray diffraction studies reveal that no elemental Sn or Sn compounds with Te or Ge are present in thermally crystallized Ge-Te-Sn samples. This indicates that Sn atoms do not interact with the host matrix and form a phase separated network of its own, which remains in the parent glass matrix as an inclusion. Consequently, there is no enhancement of network connectivity and rigidity. The thickness dependence of switching voltages of Ge(15)Te(85 - x)Sn(x) and Ge(17)Te(83 - x)Sn(x) glasses is found to be linear, in agreement with the memory switching behavior shown by these glasses. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Thermodynamics of TmRhO3, Phase Equilibria, and Chemical Potentials in the System Tm-Rh-O

Phase equilibria in the system Tm-Rh-O at 1200 K is established by isothermal equilibration of selected compositions and phase identification after quenching to room temperature. Six intermetallic phases (Tm3Rh, Tm7Rh3, Tm5Rh3, Tm3Rh2, TmRh, TmRh2 +/-delta) and a ternary oxide TmRhO3 are identified. Based on experimentally determined phase relations, a solid-state electrochemical cell is devised to measure the standard free energy of formation of orthorhombic perovskite TmRhO3 from cubic Tm2O3 and beta-Rh2O3 in the temperature range from (900 to 1300) K. The results can be summarized as: Delta G(f,ox)(o) +/- 104/J.mol(-1) = -46474 + 3.925(T/K). Invoking the Neumann-Kopp rule, the standard enthalpy of formation of TmRhO3 from its constituent elements at 298.15 K is estimated as -1193.89 (+/- 2.86) kJ.mol(-1). The standard entropy of TmRhO3 at 298.15 K is evaluated as 103.8 (+/- 1.6) J.mol(-1).K-1. The oxygen potential-composition diagram and three-dimensional chemical potential diagram at 1200 K and temperature-composition diagrams at constant partial pressures of oxygen are computed from thermodynamic data. The compound TmRhO3 decomposes at 1688 (+/- 2) K in pure oxygen and at 1583 (+/- 2) K in air at standard pressure.

Sapientia, 1967, Vol. XXII, nº 83 (número completo)

Contenido: Lo permanente y lo cambiante del conocimiento intelectivo / Octavio N. Derisi – Significado y alcance de lo naturalmente conocido frente a la gnoseología contemporánea (fin) / Osvaldo Francella – Instantaneidad del cambio substancial / J. E. Bolzán – Etapas en la evolución del pensamiento de Jean-Paul Sartre desde el punto de vista ético / Judith B. de González – Notas y comentarios – Bibliografía

Funcionamento dos guardas municipais nas principais capitais do país, considerando : a. se atuam com poder de polícia; b. se substituem a polícia militar na falta de efetivo desta instituição; c. se auxiliam a polícia militar no combate ao crime; d. se têm porte de arma; e e. se contribuem para a segurança pública

Consultoria Legislativa - Área XVII - Segurança Pública e Defesa Nacional.