Biohiilen teknillistaloudelliset käyttömahdollisuudet meesauuneissa

Diplomityön tavoitteena oli tutkia biohiilen teknillisiä ja taloudellisia käyttömahdollisuuksia meesauunien polttoaineena. Suomessa meesauunit käyttävät polttoaineinaan yleensä maakaasua ja polttoöljyä. Näiden polttoaineiden käytön korvaamisessa ja vähentämisessä halvemmilla biopolttoaineilla on saatavilla suuret säästöt ja päästöjen vähennykset. Työssä keskityttiin erityisesti tutkimaan biohiilen mahdollisia polttotapoja, biohiilen polton tuottamien vierasaineiden määrää ja biohiilen käytön taloudellista kannattavuutta meesauunien polttoaineena. Työn pohjalta voidaan sanoa, että biohiilen käyttö meesauunien polttoaineena on mahdollista ja kannattavaa. Biohiiltä voidaan käyttää polttoaineena meesauuneissa samoilla polttotavoilla, mitä on käytetty sellu- ja sementtiteollisuudessa polttamaan biohiilen kaltaisia polttoaineita. Biohiilen polton tuottamien vierasaineiden määrä on samaa suuruusluokkaa kuin puun pölypolton tuottamien vierasaineiden määrä. Vierasaineiden pitoisuuksia voidaan hallita avaamalla kemikaalikiertoa. Biohiilen kanssa kilpaileviin puun pölypolttoon ja kaasutukseen nähden biohiilelle löydettiin etuja.

Application of a modified sequential organ failure assessment score to critically ill patients

The purpose of the present study was to explore the usefulness of the Mexican sequential organ failure assessment (MEXSOFA) score for assessing the risk of mortality for critically ill patients in the ICU. A total of 232 consecutive patients admitted to an ICU were included in the study. The MEXSOFA was calculated using the original SOFA scoring system with two modifications: the PaO2/FiO2 ratio was replaced with the SpO2/FiO2 ratio, and the evaluation of neurologic dysfunction was excluded. The ICU mortality rate was 20.2%. Patients with an initial MEXSOFA score of 9 points or less calculated during the first 24 h after admission to the ICU had a mortality rate of 14.8%, while those with an initial MEXSOFA score of 10 points or more had a mortality rate of 40%. The MEXSOFA score at 48 h was also associated with mortality: patients with a score of 9 points or less had a mortality rate of 14.1%, while those with a score of 10 points or more had a mortality rate of 50%. In a multivariate analysis, only the MEXSOFA score at 48 h was an independent predictor for in-ICU death with an OR = 1.35 (95%CI = 1.14-1.59, P < 0.001). The SOFA and MEXSOFA scores calculated 24 h after admission to the ICU demonstrated a good level of discrimination for predicting the in-ICU mortality risk in critically ill patients. The MEXSOFA score at 48 h was an independent predictor of death; with each 1-point increase, the odds of death increased by 35%.

Bauksiittijätteen neutralointi- ja stabilointimenetelmät

Bauksiittijäte on alumiinin jalostuksessa syntyvä sivutuote, jonka alkalisuus on riski lähiympäristön ekosysteemeille. Alkalisuuden aiheuttamaan riskiin etsittiin ratkaisua perehtymällä bauksiittijätteen käsittelyyn. Kandidaatintyössä esitettiin eri menetelmiä bauksiittijätteen neutraloimiseksi, stabiloimiseksi ja varastoimiseksi. Menetelmien periaatteet määritettiin kirjallisuudesta löytyvien tutkimusten pohjalta, joiden perusteella voitiin määrittää toimivimmat menetelmät bauksiittijätteen käsittelemiseksi. Käytännöllisimmiksi käsittelymenetelmiksi osoittautuivat meriveden ja/tai hiilidioksidin lisääminen bauksiittijätteeseen sen neutraloimiseksi. Bauksiittijätteen stabiloimiseksi siihen tulee lisätä kiinteää materiaalia, kuten kalkkia, kiintoainepitoisuuden nostamiseksi sekä kovettuvien yhdisteiden muodostumiseksi.

Meesauunin vaipan konepajavalmistus ja laaduntarkastus

Meesauuni on osa sulfaattisellutehdasta ja sen kemikaalikiertoa. Se on pyörivä kaltevaan tasoon asetettu rumpu-uuni, joka voi olla jopa 160 metriä pitkä ja halkaisijaltaan 5,5 metriä. Kalkki on kiertävä apukemikaali, jota käytetään soodakattilalta tulevan viherlipeän muuttamiseen valkolipeäksi. Meesauunin tehtävänä on kierrättää kalkki (CaO) uudelleen käytettäväksi kaustisoinnissa syntyneestä meesasta (CaCO3). Meesauunin vaipan konepajavalmistus on prosessina hyvin yksinkertainen, mutta toleranssivaatimukset ovat hyvin tiukat suhteutettuna meesauunin kokoon. Vaippalohkojen valmistus on siirtynyt halpatyövoiman maihin lähelle loppukäyttäjiä, joten vaatimukset piirustusten laadulle, valmistukselle, ohjeille ja tarkastamiselle ovat lisääntyneet. Uunin vaippa toimitetaan asennuspaikalle useassa lohkossa ja jokainen vaippalohko on tarkastettava ennen toimitusta. Virheellisten vaippalohkojen siirtyminen asennuspaikalle on estettävä. Työn tavoitteena oli parantaa meesauunin vaippalohkojen konepajavalmistuksen laaduntarkastusta. Tässä työssä tutkitaan mittausmenetelmiä vaippalohkojen geometrian mittaamiseen. Tärkeimmät uunin toiminnallisiin ominaisuuksiin vaikuttavat muototoleranssit vaippalohkoille ovat ympyrämäisyys ja keskiviivan suoruus. Virheet näissä toleransseissa aiheuttavat vaurioita uunin muurauksille ja liian suuria kuormituksia tuennoille. Vaippalohkot on mitattava pyöritysrullaston päällä ja konepajan olosuhteissa, mikä aiheuttaa omat haasteensa. Vaippalohkojen suuret massat ja dimensiot aiheuttavat vaippalohkoihin muodonmuutoksia. Muodonmuutokset täytyy olla hallinnassa, mikäli halutaan käyttää CMS-laitteistoja (Coordinate Measuring System). Meesauunin vaippalohkot ovat mitattavissa radiaalimittauksina tai käyttäen CMS-laitteistoja.

Microfibers for juice analysis by solid-phase microextraction

In view of the interest in analyzing volatile compounds by SPME, the following five microfibers were tested, polydimethylsiloxane; polyacrylate; polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene; carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane, and carbowax/divinylbenzene, to select the one which presents the best performance for the adsorption of the volatile compounds present in the headspace of acid lime juice samples. Sample stabilization time variations (30 and 60 minutes) were assessed as well the addition of NaCl to the samples. It was verified that the chromatogram with the most adsorbed volatile compounds was obtained with PDMS/DVB microfiber at 30 minutes and the addition of 0.2 g NaCl.

Whole and crushed nutlets of chia (Salvia hispanica) from Mexico as a source of functional gums

The objective of this study was to characterize the chemical and functional properties of Mexican chia (Salvia hispanica) gums extracted from defatted whole and crushed nutlets using the Soxhlet and SFE-CO2 methods. Chia gums have interesting chemical and functional properties for the food industry. The oil and gum yields were in the range of 1.98-16.42% and 5.81-12.60%, respectively. The defatting procedure did not affect significantly the oil and gum extraction; the nutlet type (whole or crushed) was the only parameter influencing the yield. The proximate composition and the protein and fiber contents of chia gum were evaluated. Low contents of protein and fiber and high NFE levels were found in whole nutlet gums. The functional properties of chia gum extracted from whole and crushed nutlets with the Soxhlet and SFE-COs methods showed the following ranges of water absorption capacity of 62.64 to 143.66 g/g, water adsorption capacity of 0.69 to 1.35 g/g, and water and oil holding capacity of 100 to 149.28 g/g and19.5 to 40.4 g/g, respectively. The rheological behavior exhibited by the gums was pseudoplastic or shear thinning. From a functional perspective, chia gum is an important food component due its emulsifier and stabilizer potentials.

Rumpusuotimen tuottavuuden kehittäminen

Tämä työ käsittelee imurumpusuotimen mekaanisen rakenteen kehittämistä. Työn tavoitteena on ollut tutkia ja kehittää imurumpusuotimen rakennetta siten, että sen valmistuksen kokonaiskustannukset pienentyisivät alkuperäiseen rakenteeseen verraten. Rakenteen kehittäminen aloitettiin tutkimalla käytössä olevien kolmen konstruktion eri osakokoonpanoja ja kokonaisuutta sekä vertailemalla niiden poikkeavuuksia keskenään ja etsimään modulaarisia yhteneväisyyksiä osakokoonpanojen kesken. Rakenteesta valittiin yksi osakokoonpano, jota kehitettiin järjestelmällisen suunnitteluprosessin menetelmin. Suunnitteluprosessissa rakenteelle on kehitetty useita vaihtoehtoisia ratkaisuja, joista yksi valittiin jatkokehittelyn kohteeksi. Valintaa varten alkuperäisen rumpusuotimen suorituskyky arviointiin ja sen perusteella arvioitiin uusien vaihtoehtojen suorituskykyä. Työn lopputuloksena on esitetty yksi vaihtoehtoinen konstruktio rummulle, jolla nykyisen rumpusuotimen tuottavuutta voidaan parantaa. Lisäksi työn aikana selvitettiin ulkopuolisen meesan irrottamismenetelmän käytettävyyttä testaten suomalaisella sellutehtaalla CPR imurumpusuotimella.

Meesauunimalli

Tässä kandidaatintyössä kerrotaan meesauunin rakenteesta ja toiminnasta osana sulfaattisellutehtaan kalkkikiertoa. Lisäksi kirjallisuusosan ohella tehdään meesauunimalli, jonka avulla hahmotetaan lämmönsiirron ja lämpötilojen käyttäytymistä meesauunissa. Meesauunin tehtävänä sellutehtaan kalkkikierrossa on muuntaa meesan sisältämä kalsiumkarbonaatti poltetuksi kalkiksi eli kalsiumoksidiksi. Kalsiumoksidia tarvitaan kaustisointireaktion aikaansaamiseksi. Kaustisointireaktiossa regeneroidaan sellunkeiton keittokemikaaleja ja samalla syntyy kalsiumkarbonaattia. Kalsiumkarbonaatin hajottaminen kalsiumoksidiksi ja hiilidioksidiksi vaatii suuret lämpötilat ja paljon lämpöenergiaa. Tämä toteutetaan uunissa polttimella, joka on asennettuna rumpu-uunin polttopäähän. Meesa kulkee uunissa syöttöpäästä kohti poltinta uunin pyöriessä akselinsa ympäri. Reagoinut poltettu kalkki poistetaan uunista, jäähdytetään, murskataan ja kuljetetaan siiloon varastoon.

Manufacturing real wages in Mexico

In this paper we analyse the recent evolution and determinants of real wages in Mexico’s manufacturing sector, using theories based on the assumption of imperfect competition both in the product and in the labour markets, especially wage-bargain theory, insider-outsider and mark-up models. We show evidence that the Mexican labour market does not behave as a traditional competitive market. The proposed explanation for this fact is that some workers benefit from advantages when compared with others, so that they can get a greater share of the proceedings of the productive process. Also, we find that changes in the degree of competition in the market for output influence the behaviour of real wages.

Acquisition Failure: The case of a multinational enterprise from an emerging market failing in Indonesia.

The escalation in the number of mergers and acquisition transactions involving emerging market firms is a relatively recent phenomenon; as a consequence academic research in such topic is rather limited. The purpose of this research study was to discuss the possible reasons that led the acquisition failure of an emerging multinational firm and an Indonesian player. Extensive theoretical research was performed and it had been achieved, based on this, the finding of a framework that facilitated to understand the way in which the concepts of cultural distances and relate liabilities of foreignness in the process of acquisitions of foreign companies in emerging markets. The theoretical background collects literature related to acquisitions, models of cultural studies between nations and liabilities of foreignness. It has been generated a variety of frameworks that aid to understand the way that the institutional distance and cultural factors together with the concept of liabilities of foreignness can affect the process of market entry of an emerging multinational company to the extent that the best way to stop losing money is to abandon the project. The empirical research consisted of selective semi-structured interviews and an extensive research in available public data on the chosen study case of this research. There were several factors that were identified as the cause of the failure in the market entry of a Mexican multinational firm in Indonesia. The weakness shown by the local government authorities was used by the local community leaders who rioted because of discomfort. These groups were the ones who made the government submit to the extent that the agreements reached at the beginning of the deal were either canceled or modified in a way that favored always the local community. The contributions of this study fall into the knowledge field of emerging multinational firms and market entry process.

Français 1353

Contient : 1° Horoscope de Baudouin de Courtenai ; 2° Introductoire d'astronomie ; 3° « Li Livres ABU ALI des nativitez des enfenz, de lor fortune » ; 4° « Le Epistle MESSEHALA es choses de l'eclipse del soloil et de la lune es conjunctions des planetes... translatez de JEHAN D'ESPALE en lime de arabic en latin » ; 5° « Li Livres des flors de ALBUMAXAR à faire jugemenz » ; 6° Le Livre des « corruptions de l'air » ; 7° Horoscope de Baudoin de Courtenai

Transmission of West Nile virus in the Niagara Region among a population at risk for exposure

Background. West Nile Virus (WNV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, is one of an increasing number of infectious diseases that have been emerging or re-emerging in the last two decades. Since the arrival ofWNV to Canada to present date, the Niagara Region has only reported 30 clinical cases, a small number compared to the hundreds reported in other regions of similar conditions. Moreover, the last reported human case in Niagara was in 2006. As it has been demonstrated that the majority of WNV infections are asymptomatic, the question remains whether the lack of clinical cases in Niagara truly reflects the lack of transmission to humans or if infections are still occurring but are mostly asymptomatic. Objectives. The general objective of this study was to establish whether or not active WNV transmission could be detected in a human population residing in Niagara for the 2007 transmission season. To fullfil this objective, a cross-sectional seroprevalence study was designed to investigate for the presence of anti-WNV antibodies in a sample of Mexican migrant agricultural workers employed in farms registered with the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP). Due to the Mexican origin of the study participants, three specific research objectives were proposed: a) determine the seroprevalence ofanti-WNV antibodies as well as anti-Dengue virus antibodies (a closely related virus prevalent in Mexico and likely to confound WNV serology); b) analyze risk factors associated with WNV and Dengue virus seropositivity; and c) assess the awareness of study participants about WNV infection as well as their understanding of the mode of transmission and clinical importance of the infection. Methodology: After obtaining ethics clearance from Brock University, farms were visited and workers invited to participate. Due to time constraints, only a small number of farms were enrolled with a resulting convenience and non-randomized study sample. Workers' demographic and epidemiological data were collected using a standardized questionnaire and blood samples were drawn to determine serum anti-WNV and anti- Dengue antibodies with a commercial ELISA. All positive samples were sent to the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg, Manitoba for confirmation with the Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT). Data was analyzed with Stata 10.0. Antibody determinations were reported as seroprevalence proportions for both WNV and Dengue. Logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors that may be associated with seropositivity and awareness was reported as a proportion of the number of individuals possessing awareness over the total number of participants. Results and Discussion. In total 92 participants working in 5 farms completed the study. Using the commercial ELISA, seropositivity was as follows: 2.2% for WNV IgM, 20.7% for WNV IgG, and 17.1 % for Dengue IgG. Possible cross-reactivity was demonstrated in 15/20 (75.0%) samples that were positive for both WNV IgG and Dengue IgG. Confirmatory testing with the PRNT demonstrated that none of the WNV ELISA positive samples had antibodies to WNV but 13 samples tested positive for anti-Dengue antibodies (14.1 % Dengue sereoprevalence). The findings showed that the ELISA performance was very poor for assessing anti-WNV antibodies in individuals previously exposed to Dengue virus. However, the ELISA had better sensitivity and specificity for assessing anti-Dengue antibodies. Whereas statistical analysis could not be done for WNV seropositivity, as all samples were PRNT negative, logistic regression demonstrated several risk factors for Dengue exposure_ The first year coming to Canada appeared to be significantly associated with increased exposure to Dengue while lower socio-economic housing and the presence of a water basin in the yard in Mexico appeared to be significantly associated with a decreased exposure to Dengue_ These seemingly contradictory results illustrate that in mobile populations such as migrant workers, risk factors for exposure to Dengue are not easily identified and more research is needed. Assessing the awareness of WNV and its clinical importance showed that only 23% of participants had some knowledge of WNV, of which 76% knew that the infection was mosquito-borne and 47% recognized fever as a symptom. The identified lack of understanding and awareness was not surprising since WNV is not a visible disease in Mexico. Since WNV persists in an enzootic cycle in Niagara and the occurrence of future outbreaks is unpredictable, the agricultural workers remain at risk for transmission. Therefore it important they receive sufficient health education regarding WNV before leaving Mexico and during their stay in Canada. Conclusions. Human transmission of WNV could not be proven among the study participants even when due to their occupation they are at high risk for mosquito bites. The limitations of the study sample do not permit generalizable conclusions, however, the study findings are consistent with the absence of clinical cases in the Niagara Region, so it is likely that human transmission is indeed neglible or absent. As evidenced by our WNV serology results, PRNT must be utilized as a confirmatory test since false positivity occurs frequently. This is especially true when previous exposure to Dengue virus is likely.

Letter written by John Bentley, Sept. 26, 1813.

Transcript [original spelling and grammar retained]: Sacketts Harbour 26th Sept. 1813. Dear wife. From this you are informed that I am in health at this Date. When I last wrote to you I some expected to go upon and expedition but to us unknown we sat out and went up the Lake 3 Days Landed at Oswego The British Fleet appeared off, and we returned and saw our fleet upon our return, I think that our Regt. going was only a maneuver to get the Fleet out that our Fleet might come a threat[?] of them We expect to embark immediately into Canada as preparations are making to convey us over to them we are anxious to commence an action with them. Troops are daily coming in to the Harbour to take the Stand in our absence, we shall not be here 3 days before we try their[?] Powder. they are daily defecting[?] to us from Canada very fearful of the consequence of our Resisting[?] of them…our Fleet is now out and has been for 6 or 7 days. The Lake Erie fleet has done great things. I hope ours will be as successful. I think that our Generals are waiting to hear from them as every thing is ready[?] of to embark various opinions reflecting were we shall attack them some say at Kingston others at Montreal and others at Prescot—Mr. William Butler and D[?]…are well and in Spirits, Sergt Daniel White is very hearty for him, M. Samuel C[?] is well and in good health Benjm Thompson is well Charles Bryant is well [?] is well Eben[?] Smith is very much plagued with the Rheumatik Disease[?] he……… his limbs very often for being Crippled[?] he is at the Hospital I often visit it to see the sick Jacob Barnes is at the Hospital but recovering fast been very sick. Luther Gregory is at the Hospital and on the recovery, Sergt. L[?] & Smith are well, Henry ………[?] is well, very healthy have not more die here than 3…[?]to the best of my knowledge. I will make a few remarks upon the place it abounds in Lime Rock more than Thomaston and not every person to my knowledge burn it, and in the whole Town not but one Pump that supplies the Towns People and Soldiers and a ………[?] of such a Lake of water the Lake water is good for drinking but the water near the Shore is exposed to all kind of filth being thrown into it. The officers with whom I have been with have used me kindly and I get quietly by them. The Lieut. Downer who recruits at Thomaston tell me he has thots[?] of Leaving the army if so I must say I am greatly sorry as he was my ……[?] friend although he Left us and went in a northern Company it is a Company……………[?]worthy an officer as he proves to be, I cannot get any higher than a Sergeant or Quarter Master Sergeant which I may have without any friends at Thomaston assisting me. I am a Sergeant and Sergeant Daniel White is expecting[?] to be a Quarter Master Sergeant, and a number of his friends from Thomaston have went to their Major for him in the 9th Regt Major….[?] and he expects to obtain a Commission as I ……[?] expect to be promoted and it died away he will have the Laugh upon me, I wish that My Friend Dawes would[?] put the question to Col. Foot? to write to our Col. E.W. Ripley if he has …[?]in the …[?]taken by him and others of my …[?] friends[?]. I expect to come home this winter without fail. I remain your Loving Husband till Death. John Bentley for Betsey Bentley Thomaston P.S. The next Letter will be ……[?]to Mr. Dawes[?] and shall write as soon as our Fleet arrives or if we are ordered off tomorrow shall write before I leave this Place. I have understood that many letters have been ……[?]to me. I have received only 2 from Mary, one from Mr. Dawes, one from William Thompson and have answered them please to write……[?]to S. Harbour.

Job Demands and Organizational Citizenship Behavior: The Roles of Organizational Commitment and Social Interaction

Drawing from the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model and research on social exchange relationships, this study investigates the impact of three job demands (work overload, interpersonal conflict, and dissatisfaction with the organization’s current situation) on employees’ organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), the hitherto unexplored mediating role of organizational commitment in the link between job demands and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), as well as how this mediating effect might be moderated by social interaction. Using a multi-source, two-wave research design, surveys were administered to 707 employees and their supervisors in a Mexican-based organization. The hypotheses were tested with hierarchical regression analysis. The results indicate a direct negative relationship between interpersonal conflict and OCB, and a mediating effect of organizational commitment for interpersonal conflict and dissatisfaction with the organization’s current situation. Further, social interaction moderates the mediating effect of organizational commitment for each of the three job demands such that the mediating effect is weaker at higher levels of social interaction. The study suggests that organizations aiming to instill OCB among their employees should match the immediate work context surrounding their task execution with an internal environment that promotes informal relationship building.

Tadeus Amat, Obispo de Monterrey y Joseph s. Alemany, Arzobispo de San Francisco contra México.

UANL