Embryonic gene expression of Coregonus palaea (whitefish) under pathogen stress as analyzed by high-throughput RNA-sequencing.

Most fishes produce free-living embryos that are exposed to environmental stressors immediately following fertilization, including pathogenic microorganisms. Initial immune protection of embryos involves the chorion, as a protective barrier, and maternally-allocated antimicrobial compounds. At later developmental stages, host-genetic effects influence susceptibility and tolerance, suggesting a direct interaction between embryo genes and pathogens. So far, only a few host genes could be identified that correlate with embryonic survival under pathogen stress in salmonids. Here, we utilized high-throughput RNA-sequencing in order to describe the transcriptional response of a non-model fish, the Alpine whitefish Coregonus palaea, to infection, both in terms of host genes that are likely manipulated by the pathogen, and those involved in an early putative immune response. Embryos were produced in vitro, raised individually, and exposed at the late-eyed stage to a virulent strain of the opportunistic fish pathogen Pseudomonas fluorescens. The pseudomonad increased embryonic mortality and affected gene expression substantially. For example, essential, upregulated metabolic pathways in embryos under pathogen stress included ion binding pathways, aminoacyl-tRNA-biosynthesis, and the production of arginine and proline, most probably mediated by the pathogen for its proliferation. Most prominently downregulated transcripts comprised the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, the citrate cycle, and various isoforms of b-cell transcription factors. These factors have been shown to play a significant role in host blood cell differentiation and renewal. With regard to specific immune functions, differentially expressed transcripts mapped to the complement cascade, MHC class I and II, TNF-alpha, and T-cell differentiation proteins. The results of this study reveal insights into how P. fluorescens impairs the development of whitefish embryos and set a foundation for future studies investigating host pathogen interactions in fish embryos.

Xerogel p-anisidinapropilsílica: estudo da estabilidade térmica e da resistência à lixiviação com solventes

The xerogel p-anisidinepropylsilica was obtained. This solid presents some residual paraffin and also a small fraction of high organofunctionalized material that was leached in polar solvent. The xerogel purification could be achieved by exhaustively washing with hexane and dichloromethane solvents, or submitting the xerogel to thermal treatment up to 300 ºC, in vacuum. The resulting purified xerogel material present an appreciable thermal stability and resistance to leaching by solvents.

Efeitos da beta-polinitração na eficiência catalítica de rutenioporfirinas em reações de oxidação de cicloexano

Rutheniumporphyrins, especially with several nitro groups in b-positions, were used in the cyclohexane oxidation in the presence of iodosylbenzene, hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite as oxygen donors, under mild conditions. The beta-polynitrated complexes were able to promote the catalytic cyclohexane oxidation. They show an exceptionally high catalytic efficiency and resistance to attack by strong oxidizing agents. The cyclohexane oxidation was monitored by gas chromatography and the results showed that the beta-polynitrated rutheniumporphyrins are better catalysts when compared to other complexes not beta-polynitrated. In all cases, the 2-phenylsubstituted complexes were more efficient than 4-phenylsubstituted complexes. The importance of the ortho effect to oxidation was shown.

Hitsatun kerrossihtilevyrakenteen soveltuvuus sellutehtaan laitteiden suodatinpinnaksi

Tässä diplomityössä tutkittiin hitsaamalla valmistettavan kerrossihtilevyn soveltuvuutta eri sellutehtaan laitteisiin mekaanisen kuormituskokeen, korroosiokokeen ja syrjäytyskokeiden avulla. Tutkimusympäristönä käytettiin puukuitupesuria, sillä kerrossihtilevyrakenteen todennäköisimpiä käyttökohteita ovat erilaiset massan pesuun tarkoitetut laitteet. Mekaanisen kuormituksen kokeessa tarkasteltiin kerrossihtilevyn staattista ja dynaamista kuormituksen kestoa painevaihteluiden avulla pesurin koelokerossa ja verrattiin sitä porattuun reikälevyyn. Kokeessa käytetyn kerrossihtilevyversion todettiin olevan huomattavasti porattua saman paksuista reikälevyä heikompi dynaamisen kuormituksen alaisena. Syrjäytyskokeilla määritettiin syrjäytysnopeus erilaisilla reiänhalkaisijoilla ja –jaoilla sekä tutkittiin väriaineen avulla sokeiden tukikannasten vaikutusta syrjäytyspesun homogeenisuuteen levyn pinnassa. Syrjäytysnopeuden todettiin heikentyvän vapaan reikäpinta-alan pienentyessä. Väriaineellisissa kokeissa ei havaittu tukikannasten merkittävästi alentavan syrjäytysnopeutta. Korroosiokokeilla tutkittiin ja vertailtiin laser- ja vastuspistehitsien korroosionkestokykyä kloridipitoisissa olosuhteissa lämpötilan säätelyn mahdollistavan olosuhdekaapin avulla. Laserhitsauksessa parametrien ei havaittu vaikuttavan merkittävästi hitsin herkistymislämpötilaan. Vastuspistehitsaamalla on mahdollista saavuttaa laserhitsien korroosionkesto.

Síntese e caracterização de perovskitas LaNi(1-x)Co xO3 como precursores de catalisadores para a conversão do metano a gás de síntese pela reforma com CO2

LaNiO3 perovskite was modified by partial substitution of nickel by cobalt in order to increase the stability and resistance to carbon deposition during the methane CO2 reforming. The results showed that a suitable combination of precipitation and calcination steps resulted in oxides with the desired structure and with important properties for application in heterogeneous catalysis. The partial substitution of Ni by Co resulted in lower rates of conversion of both the reactants, but the catalyst stability was highly increased. The LaNi0.3Co0.7O3 catalyst, calcined at 800 ºC, was the most active under the reaction conditions.

A risk infection simulation model for fusarium head blight of wheat

Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) is a disease of great concern in wheat (Triticum aestivum). Due to its relatively narrow susceptible phase and environmental dependence, the pathosystem is suitable for modeling. In the present work, a mechanistic model for estimating an infection index of FHB was developed. The model is process-based driven by rates, rules and coefficients for estimating the dynamics of flowering, airborne inoculum density and infection frequency. The latter is a function of temperature during an infection event (IE), which is defined based on a combination of daily records of precipitation and mean relative humidity. The daily infection index is the product of the daily proportion of susceptible tissue available, infection frequency and spore cloud density. The model was evaluated with an independent dataset of epidemics recorded in experimental plots (five years and three planting dates) at Passo Fundo, Brazil. Four models that use different factors were tested, and results showed all were able to explain variation for disease incidence and severity. A model that uses a correction factor for extending host susceptibility and daily spore cloud density to account for post-flowering infections was the most accurate explaining 93% of the variation in disease severity and 69% of disease incidence according to regression analysis.

Static tests of constructive tires using hydraulic press on the soil

ABSTRACT The power consumption and load capacity of agricultural machines have grown and the effects of pressure on the soil by tires have been still little investigated. In concern with sustainable development, the relationship machine-tire-soil must be in balance to give more consistency on the best use of tires for a given load. This study aimed to evaluate four tires of two constructive types, the bias belted tires and radial tires, both with respective rim diameters of 22.5 and 26.5 inches with variables measuring the footprint, elastic deformation, sinkage and resistance to penetration. A hydraulic press with an attachment shaft for tire mounting and a box of soil in which the tire has been imposed on a load of 53.00 kN using nominal pressures recommended by the tire manufacturer. The radial construction tire with rim diameter of 26.5 inches obtained less sinkage and resistance to penetration; however, greater elastic deformation and footprint compared to other tires. The bias-belted tire with 22.5-inch rim presented the highest resistance to penetration and the lowest elastic deformation.

Rasvankestävät paperit ja kartongit

Rasvankestävyydellä tarkoitetaan sitä, että materiaali hylkii tai kestää rasvaa tietyn ajan läpäisemättä sen pintaa. Rasvankestäviä papereita ja kartonkeja löytyy kaikkialta. Erilaiset ruuanvalmistuspaperit, kuten esimerkiksi leivinpaperi ja voipaperi, ovat rasvankestäviä. Myös pakkauksissa käytetään paljon rasvankestäviä papereita ja kartonkeja. Rasvankestäviltä tuotteilta vaaditaan erilaisia ominaisuuksia riippuen niiden käyttötarkoituksesta. Pakkausmateriaaleilta vaaditaan esimerkiksi lujuutta ja kestävyyttä fyysistä rasitusta, valoa, hajuja ja mikrobeja vastaan. Ruuanvalmistusmateriaaleilta vaaditaan puolestaan lujuutta ja kestävyyttä lämpöä, kosteutta ja fyysistä rasitusta vastaan. Rasvankestäviltä papereilta vaaditaan rasvankestävyyden lisäksi hyvää vetolujuutta, märkälujuutta ja hyviä optisia ominaisuuksia. Neliömassan tulee asettua 20─80 g/m2 välille ja metallipitoisuudet eivät saa olla liian korkeat. Myös tuotteiden kierrätettävyys on nostanut asemaansa viimeaikoina. Tuotteen tuotannon ja itse tuotteen ympäristöystävällisyys ovat todella arvostettuja kuluttajan, tuottajan, Suomen, EU:n ja koko maailman näkökulmista. Jotta tuotteesta saadaan rasvankestävää, vaaditaan siltä erilaisia barrier-ominaisuuksia. Rasvankestävällä paperilla vaaditaan hyviä barrier-ominaisuuksia esimerkiksi rasvan, ilman, veden, vesihöyryn sekä hapen läpäisevyyksissä. Rasvankestäviä papereita ja kartonkeja voidaan valmistaa kemiallisilla ja mekaanisilla tavoilla. Happokäsittely ja fluorokemikaalien lisääminen ovat kemiallisia tapoja, kun taas sellun jauhaminen pitkään matalassa lämpötilassa on mekaaninen tapa valmistaa rasvankestävää paperia. Näiden tapojen lisäksi rasvankestäviä papereita voidaan tehdä erilaisten pinnoitusten avulla. Erilaiset muovit ovat yleisemmin käytettyjä pinnoitemateriaaleja. Esimerkiksi PE- ja PET-päällysteet ovat käytettyjä rasvankestävissä tuotteissa. Viime aikoina on kehitetty paljon erilaisia biomateriaaleja, joista voidaan tehdä rasvankestävä pinnoite. Lipideistä, hydrokolloideista ja erilaisista komposiiteista voidaan luoda uusien tekniikoiden avulla rasvankestäviä pinnoitteita. Rasvankestävyydestä voidaan saada jonkinlainen käsitys WVTR-asteen, Cobb-arvon ja kontaktikulman mittausten avulla. Rasvankestävyyttä voidaan myös mitata erilaisten standarditestien avulla. TAPPI:lla, ISO:lla ja ASTM:llä on useita erilaisia standardeja. Lähes kaikissa rasvankestävyysstandardeissa tuloksen saaminen perustuu visuaaliseen havaintoon, mikä aiheuttaa välillä hankaluuksia tulosten luotettavuuteen, koska tuloksen määrittää ihmissilmä, ja kaikilla testin tekijöillä on erilainen silmä, joka aistii eri tavalla.

Acute myeloid leukemia in elderly patients: experience of a single center

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a disease predominantly of older adults. Treatment of AML in the elderly is complicated not only by comorbidities but also by the high prevalence of poor prognosis markers. Thirty-one consecutive unselected patients with AML older than 60 years (representing 33% of all AML cases diagnosed at our institution during the same period) were followed over a period of 5 years (1997-2002). A high incidence of AML with multilineage dysplasia (45%) and no favorable cytogenetic abnormalities but 62% intermediate and 38% unfavorable karyotypes were found. Sixteen patients (52%) were selected for induction of intensive cytotoxic treatment and complete remission was achieved only by some of these intensively treated patients (7 of 16). Of these, 3 remained alive without disease (median: 11 months), 1 patient died shortly after complete remission, and 3 patients relapsed and died from refractory disease. Only 1 patient that was refractory to intensive cytotoxic treatment remained alive with disease under supportive care. Fifteen patients (48%) were managed with palliative/supportive care: 7 received palliative treatment and supportive care, 8 received supportive care only, and 4 patients remained alive with disease under supportive care (median: 9 months). Mortality rate was 74% and overall survival at two years was 12%. To the best of our knowledge, there is no previous report regarding elderly patients with AML in Brazilian subsets. The present data are similar to previously reported studies showing that elderly AML patients are not only older but also biologically distinct from younger AML patients, particularly in terms of the high incidence of poor prognostic karyotypes and resistance to therapy.

Forming i barnehagen i lys av Reggio Emilias atelierkultur

Forming (Arts and crafts) and children’s creative action with materials and tools are less in use in the kindergarten than before. Political focus on children’s early learning has led to shifts in kindergartens toward other specific disciplines, and requirements for individual testing also of the smallest children’s competencies within these. Kindergarten teachers, educators, researchers and participants in social debate have pointed out that there are epistemological contradictions in descriptions of kindergarten quality as well as between current kindergarten policy documents and requirements for the kindergartens’ staff. Meanwhile, the content and methods in many kindergartens are inspired by practice and philosophy in the municipal kindergartens in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Correlation between kindergartens’ formingprojects and experiences from Reggio Emilia is actualized in particular through the workshop and the studio’s role in children’s learning processes. One starting point for the thesis’ problem area is a documented need for more knowledge about kindergarten’s educational content. The overarching goal of the thesis is to develop new knowledge about how learning takes place in kindergarten through examining the field of forming in kindergartens inspired by Reggio Emilia’s atelier culture. The thesis is theoretically anchored within pragmatism, and ties kindergarten’s aesthetic operations with materials and tools to socio-cultural perspective, social constructivism and post humanistic theory. The empirical material is obtained through a qualitative study with ethnography as methodological approach. The fieldwork is conducted in kindergarten, with two leading research questions: 1) How is atelierism perceived and unfolded in Norwegian Reggio Emilia-inspired kindergartens, and 2) how is forming perceived and unfolded in Norwegian Reggio Emilia-inspired kindergartens. A comprehensive and multifaceted material is analyzed, and the results are presented in the form of three themes: The physical environment, Relations and actions in interplay, and Expression forms and forms of expression. Each of these topics are supported by examples from kindergartens’ adult voices and the constructed empirical material. Insights into how learning takes place in the kindergarten subject of forming with inspiration from the Reggio Emilia atelier culture is discussed in the tension between educational philosophy, Nordic kindergarten tradition and neoliberal trends that kindergarten teachers must adhere to. Learning potentials in children’s opportunities for action in forming in light of the atelier appears in the results of the empirical study. The educational context described is characterized by experimental and playful actions where children’s sensations, curiosity and resistance are interacting with the identity of materials and tools. The results imply aesthetic, ethical, democratic and ecological reflections, which are also valid on a practical action level. The thesis contributes to description and understanding of kindergarten’ content and young children’s learning, the importance of atelier culture as inspiration for the kindergarten, and the further development of methodology and documentation of knowledge expressions.

Sähköisen taloushallinnon vaikutukset tilitoimiston työskentelytapoihin Case-yrityksessä

Tämän tutkielman tavoitteena oli selvittää, mitä mahdollisuuksia ja haasteita sähköinen taloushallinto tuo tilitoimistoille ja miten ne vaikuttavat työskentelyyn. Vaikka sähköisiä taloushallinnon järjestelmiä on tutkittu paljon jo aiemmin, vielä ei kovin laajasti ole tarkasteltu sitä, miten ne käytännössä vaikuttavat tilitoimistoihin. Tutkielma on luonteeltaan kvalitatiivinen ja se on toteutettu case-tutkimuksena lappeenrantalaisesta tilitoimistosta. Tutkimuksen teoria rakentuu aihetta käsittelevän kirjallisuuden perusteella ja empiria on kerätty puolistrukturoiduilla teemahaastatteluilla. Haastatteluista saatuja tuloksia on verrattu kirjallisuudessa esitettyihin näkemyksiin sähköisen taloushallinnon mahdollisuuksista ja haasteista sekä sähköisen taloushallinnon vaikutuksista työskentelyyn. Tutkimuksessa selvisi, että kirjallisuudessa ja käytännössä sähköisen taloushallinnon tarjoamat mahdollisuudet ja haasteet sekä niiden vaikutukset työskentelyyn eroavat toisistaan. Suurimpia mahdollisuuksia olivat työskentelyn parantunut tehokkuus, kustannussäästöt sekä saadun informaation parempi laatu. Teoriassa haasteiksi koettiin koulutuksen puute ja työntekijöiden sekä asiakkaiden muutosvastarinta. Käytännössä suurimman haasteen sähköisen taloushallinnon käytettävyydelle kuitenkin aiheuttavat ohjelmistot ja niiden mukanaan tuomat ongelmat. Sähköistymisen myötä kirjanpitäjistä tulee teoriassa enemmänkin konsultteja ja tilitoimistoissakin työskentelee erikseen esimerkiksi reskontranhoitajia. Tosiasiassa roolien muuttuminen ei kuitenkaan ole aivan itsestään selvää ja sähköisiin järjestelmiin siirtymisen odotetaan kestävän vielä kauan.

Alternative pathways for angiotensin II generation in the cardiovascular system

The classical renin-angiotensin system (RAS) consists of enzymes and peptides that regulate blood pressure and electrolyte and fluid homeostasis. Angiotensin II (Ang II) is one of the most important and extensively studied components of the RAS. The beneficial effects of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in the treatment of hypertension and heart failure, among other diseases, are well known. However, it has been reported that patients chronically treated with effective doses of these inhibitors do not show suppression of Ang II formation, suggesting the involvement of pathways alternative to ACE in the generation of Ang II. Moreover, the finding that the concentration of Ang II is preserved in the kidney, heart and lungs of mice with an ACE deletion indicates the important role of alternative pathways under basal conditions to maintain the levels of Ang II. Our group has characterized the serine protease elastase-2 as an alternative pathway for Ang II generation from Ang I in rats. A role for elastase-2 in the cardiovascular system was suggested by studies performed in heart and conductance and resistance vessels of normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats. This mini-review will highlight the pharmacological aspects of the RAS, emphasizing the role of elastase-2, an alternative pathway for Ang II generation.

Potential virulence of Klebsiella sp. isolates from enteral diets

We aimed to evaluate the potential virulence of Klebsiellaisolates from enteral diets in hospitals, to support nosocomial infection control measures, especially among critical-care patients. Phenotypic determination of virulence factors, such as capsular expression on the external membrane, production of aerobactin siderophore, synthesis of capsular polysaccharide, hemolytic and phospholipase activity, and resistance to antibiotics, which are used therapeutically, were investigated in strains ofKlebsiella pneumoniae and K. oxytoca. Modular industrialized enteral diets (30 samples) as used in two public hospitals were analyzed, and Klebsiella isolates were obtained from six (20%) of them. The hypermucoviscous phenotype was observed in one of the K. pneumoniae isolates (6.7%). Capsular serotypes K1 to K6 were present, namely K5 and K4. Under the conditions of this study, no aerobactin production, hemolytic activity or lecithinase activity was observed in the isolates. All isolates were resistant to amoxicillin and ampicillin and sensitive to cefetamet, imipenem, chloramphenicol, gentamicin and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. Most K. pneumoniae isolates (6/7, 85.7%) from hospital B presented with a higher frequency of resistance to the antibiotics tested in this study, and multiple resistance to at least four antibiotics (3/8; 37.5%) compared with isolates from Hospital A. The variations observed in the antibiotic resistance profiles allowed us to classify theKlebsiella isolates as eight antibiotypes. No production of broad-spectrum β-lactamases was observed among the isolates. Our data favor the hypothesis that Klebsiella isolates from enteral diets are potential pathogens for nosocomial infections.

Yksilön muutokseen suhtautuminen psykologisen omistajuuden näkökulmasta

Työntekijöiden kokema psykologinen omistajuus ja muutokseen suhtautuminen kietoutuvat yhteen tämän tutkimuksen tarkastelussa. Organisaatiot kohtaavat nykypäivänä jatkuvaa muutostarvetta ja työntekijöiden muutokseen suhtautumisella on merkittävä vaikutus muutoshankkeiden onnistuneessa läpiviennissä. Toisaalta työtä kohtaan koetut psykologisen omistajuuden tunteet nähdään merkittävänä työhön ja työn kokemiseen liittyvänä tunteena. Tutkimuksen tavoitteena onkin ymmärtää miten työntekijöiden kokema psykologinen omistajuus ilmenee työntekijöiden muutokseen suhtautumisessa. Tutkimuksen tarkastelu tapahtuu organisatorisessa kontekstissa, merkityksen luomisen viitekehyksessä. Tutkimus suoritettiin fenomenografisena tapaustutkimuksena liiketoiminnan tukipalveluita tarjoavassa asiantuntijaorganisaatiossa. Tutkimuksen lopputuloksen muodostavat neljä erilaista kuvauskategoriaa, jotka kuvaavat kohdeorganisaation työntekijöiden työtään kohtaan kokemia psykologisen omistajuuden tunteita ja sitä kuinka nämä tunteet näyttäytyvät heidän muutokseen suhtautumisessa. Psykologinen omistajuus ja muutokseen suhtautuminen ovat monitahoisia ilmiöitä, joissa yksilön kokemukseen vaikuttavat useat eri tekijät. Psykologista omistajuutta tunteva yksilö on lähtökohtaisesti valmiimpi kohtaamaan muutoksia psykologisen omistajuuden tunteiden ja muutosvalmiuden pohjautuessa monelta osin samoihin tekijöihin. Toisaalta voimakkaat psykologisen omistajuuden tunteet voivat olla yksilöä uuvuttavia, mikä saa muutokset näyttäytymään taakkana myönteisistä aikomuksista huolimatta.

Chemical composition of five loquat cultivars planted in Brazil

Loquat is a fruit with high market value cultivated in Southeast Brazil. Despite of this, there are little details about its quality characteristics. Fruits from five loquat cultivars, developed using genetic breeding, were analyzed to assess their compositional traits. The cultivars Centenária, Mizuho, Mizumo, Néctar de Cristal and Mizauto were selected based on their high productivity and resistance to diseases. Soluble sugars, organic acids, and carotenoids were quantified using liquid chromatography. The cultivar (cv.) with the highest total sugar concentration was Mizumo and the lowest concentration was found in Centenária. The main sugar detected was sucrose, and the malic acid was the major organic acid. Ascorbic acid was detected in small amounts. The total dietary fiber contents were almost the same in all cultivars. The major carotenoids detected were β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin, except for the cultivar Nectar de Cristal, a white pulp loquat. These results contribute to the knowledge about de physiology of loquat fruit, an interesting raw material due to its nutritional and sensorial characteristics. Furthermore, the results obtained could help to identify the most appropriate use of the loquats with different attributes either for consumption in natura or for industrial processing.