Three-dimensional conformal breast irradiation in the prone position

The prone position can be used for the planning of adjuvant radiotherapy after conservative breast surgery in order to deliver less irradiation to lung and cardiac tissue. In the present study, we compared the results of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy planning for five patients irradiated in the supine and prone position. Tumor stage was T1N0M0 in four patients and T1N1M0 in one. All patients had been previously submitted to conservative breast surgery. Breast size was large in three patients and moderate in the other two. Irradiation in the prone position was performed using an immobilization foam pad with a hole cut into it to accommodate the breast so that it would hang down away from the chest wall. Dose-volume histograms showed that mean irradiation doses reaching the ipsilateral lung were 8.3 ± 3.6 Gy with the patient in the supine position and 1.4 ± 1.0 Gy with the patient in the prone position (P = 0.043). The values for the contralateral lung were 1.3 ± 0.7 and 0.3 ± 0.1 Gy (P = 0.043) and the values for cardiac tissue were 4.6 ± 1.6 and 3.0 ± 1.7 Gy (P = 0.079), respectively. Thus, the dose-volume histograms demonstrated that lung tissue irradiation was significantly lower with the patient in the prone position than in the supine position. Large-breasted women appeared to benefit most from irradiation in the prone position. Prone position breast irradiation appears to be a simple and effective alternative to the conventional supine position for patients with large breasts, since they are subjected to lower pulmonary doses which may cause less pulmonary side effects in the future.

Cardiovascular complications and increased levels of circulating modified low density lipoprotein in HIV patients and patients with lipodystrophy

The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for patients infected with HIV has significantly prolonged the life expectancy and to some extent has restored a functional immune response. However, the premature introduction of HAART has led to a significant and alarming increase in cardiovascular complications, including myocardial infarction and the appearance of abnormal distribution of body fat seen as lipodystrophy. One key element in the development of ischemic coronary artery disease is the presence of circulating and tissue-fixed modified low density lipoprotein (mLDL) that contributes to the initiation and progression of arterial lesions and to the formation of foam cells. Even though not completely elucidated, the most likely mechanism involves mLDL in the inflammatory response and the induction of a specific immune response against mLDL. Circulating antibodies against mLDL can serve as an indirect marker of the presence of circulating and vessel-fixed mLDL. In the present study, we measured antibodies to mLDL and correlated them with immune status (i.e., number of CD4+ T cells) in 59 HIV patients and with the clinical manifestation of lipodystrophy in 10 patients. We observed a significant reduction in anti-mLDL antibody levels related both to lipodystrophy and to an immunocompromised state in HIV patients. We speculate that these antibodies may explain in part the rapid development of ischemic coronary artery disease in some patients.

Possibility of press forming wood films into primary packaging

In recent times the packaging industry is finding means to maximize profit. Wood used to be the most advantageous and everyday material for packaging, worktables, counters, constructions, interiors, tools and as materials and utensils in the food companies in the world. The use of wood has declined vigorously, and other materials like plastic, ceramic, stainless steel, concrete, and aluminum have taken its place. One way that the industry could reduce its cost is by finding possibilities of using wood for primary packaging after which it can be safely recycled or burned as a carbon source for energy. Therefore, the main objective of this thesis is to investigate the possibility of press-forming a wood film into primary packaging. In order to achieve the stated objectives, discussion on major characteristics of wood in terms of structure, types and application were studied. Two different wood species, pine and birch were used for the experimental work. These were provided by a local carpentry workshop in Lappeenranta and a workshop in Ruokolahti supervised by Professor Timo Kärki. Laboratory tests were carried out at Lappeenranta University of Technology FMS workshop on Stenhøj EPS40 M hydraulic C-frame press coupled with National Instruments VI Logger and on the Adjustable packaging line machine at LUT Packaging laboratory. The tests succeeded better on the LUT packaging line than on the Stenhoj equipment due to the integrated heating system in the machine. However, there is much work to be done before the quality of a tray produced from the wood film is comparable to that of the wood plastic composite tray.

Korkeapainevesisumusuuttimen virtaustekninen laadunhallinta

Tämä työ vastaa tarpeeseen hallita korkeapainevesisumusuuttimen laatua virtausmekaniikan työkalujen avulla. Työssä tutkitaan suutinten testidatan lisäksi virtauksen käyttäytymistä suuttimen sisällä CFD-laskennan avulla. Virtausmallinnus tehdään Navier-Stokes –pohjaisella laskentamenetelmällä. Työn teoriaosassa käsitellään virtaustekniikkaa ja sen kehitystä yleisesti. Lisäksi esitetään suuttimen laskennassa käytettävää perusteoriaa sekä teknisiä ratkaisuja. Teoriaosassa käydään myös läpi laskennalliseen virtausmekaniikkaan (CFD-laskenta) liittyvää perusteoriaa. Tutkimusosiossa esitetään käsitellyt suutintestitulokset sekä mallinnetaan suutinvirtausta ajasta riippumattomaan virtauslaskentaan perustuvalla laskentamenetelmällä. Virtauslaskennassa käytetään OpenFOAM-laskentaohjelmiston SIMPLE-virtausratkaisijaa sekä k-omega SST –turbulenssimallia. Tehtiin virtausmallinnus kaikilla paineilla, joita suuttimen testauksessa myös todellisuudessa käytetään. Lisäksi selvitettiin mahdolliset kavitaatiokohdat suuttimessa ja suunniteltiin kavitaatiota ehkäisevä suutingeometria. Todettiin myös lämpötilan ja epäpuhtauksien vaikuttavan kavitaatioon sekä mallinnettiin lämpötilan vaikutusta. Luotiin malli, jolla suuttimen suunnitteluun liittyviin haasteisiin voidaan vastata numeerisella laskennalla.

Ohuiden päällystyskerrosten applikointi puukuitupohjaisille materiaaleille

Työn aiheena oli tutkia vaahdon soveltuvuutta ohuiden päällystyskerrosten applikointiin paperin tai kartongin pinnalle. Paperia ja kartonkia päällystetään teollisessa mittakaavassa eri menetelmillä, mutta niille kaikille yhteistä on päällystyspastan laimentaminen vedellä ennen applikointia ja laimennusveden haihduttaminen applikoinnin jälkeen päällysteen asettamiseksi. Laimennus on tärkeää pastan komponenttien tasaisen levittämisen vuoksi, mutta veden haihduttaminen kuluttaa valtavasti energiaa. Tekstiiliteollisuudessa on saavutettu merkittäviä säästöjä kuivausenergiassa korvaamalla laajalti vedellä laimentaminen vaahdottamisella. Diplomityön kirjallisessa osassa käytiin läpi vaahdon kemiallisia ja fysikaalisia ominaisuuksia sekä selvitettiin mitä kemikaaleja ja laitteita vaahdotukseen käytetään. Lisäksi luotiin katsaus vaahtoprosessien käyttöön tekstiiliteollisuudessa ja muilla aloilla. Kokeellinen osa koostui esikokeista, joissa selvitettiin pastan koostumuksen vaikutuksia vaahtoamiseen, ja pilot-mittakaavan koeajoista, joissa esikokeiden tuloksia hyödynnettiin. Esikokeissa huomiota kiinnitettiin varsinkin eri polyvinyylialkoholien (PVA) seosten erinomaiseen vaahtoavuuteen. Pilot-koeajoissa vaahtopäällystys vaikutti lupaavalta menetelmältä, joskaan täysin tyydyttävää päällystystulosta ei saavutettu. Suurimpana ongelmana esiintyi ilman pääseminen pohjapaperin ja päällysteen väliin ja siitä seuraava huono päällystejälki. Toisen ongelmakokonaisuuden muodostivat päällysteeseen jäävät reiät. Vaahtopäällystys vaikuttaa lupaavalta tekniikalta ohuiden päällystekerrosten applikointiin, mutta pastareseptejä tulee optimoida ja ratkaista päällysteen alle pääsevän ilman ongelma.

Tangential microfiltration of orange juice in bench pilot

The aim of this study was to introduce the tangential microfiltration (TMF) technique on the production of orange juice (TMFJ), and compare it with pasteurised juice (control) as regards chemical composition and sensorial characteristics. We used a TMF pilot equipped with four monotubular ceramic membranes (0.1, 0.2, 0.8 and 1.4mm) arranged in series with a filtering area of 0.005 m² each. Commercial flash-pasteurised orange juice was used as the initial product. Experiments were divided into three parts: a) the characterisation of the TMF pilot; b) optimisation of operational conditions; c) production of the TMFJ. In the second part, membrane with 0.8-mm pores presented best flux followed by those with 1.4-, 0.1-, and 0.2-mm pores. However, to guarantee permeate sterility, we chose the membrane with 0.1-mm pores for TMFJ production. Initially, the orange juice was sieved in order to separate part of the pulp, being subsequently submitted to TMF. A mixture of retentate and pulp was made, and was subsequently pasteurised. We obtained the TMFJ by adding the permeate to the mixture. TMFJ presented soluble solids content (°Brix), pulp, pH, and titrable acidity similar to the initial pasteurised juice (control). Nevertheless, 28% of vitamin C was lost during the TMFJ production. According to the juice taster panel, the control juice presented best sensorial characteristics (greater aroma intensity and fruity flavour) when compared with the TMJF.

Influence of depectinization in the ultrafiltration of West Indian cherry (Malpighia glabra L.) and pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Meer) juices

West Indian cherry (Malpighia glabra L.) and pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Meer)juice clarification by cross-flow UF, using polysulphone hollow fiber and ceramic tubular membranes with, respectively, nominal molecular weight cut off values of 100kDaltons and average pore diameters of 0.01mm, were studied. The influence of enzymatic treatment using enzyme concentrations of 20, 100 and 300mg/L, a time of 90min and a temperature of 40ºC for depectinization was verified. The juices were then clarified in a laboratory scale filtration unit, with an effective filtration area of 0.12m² for the polysulphone hollow fiber membrane and of 0.005m² for the ceramic tubular membranes. The influence of enzymatic treatment on viscosity, turbidity and total pectin of the juice, before ultrafiltration, is reported. Membrane performance was evaluated in terms of flow rate and clarity of the permeate. The permeate flow rate of depectinized pineapple juice was higher (30 - 60%) for both membranes. Depectinized West Indian cherry juice presented a lower permeate flow rate for the polysulphone hollow fiber membrane. The increase in permeate flow rate, with the use of the 300mg/L and 100mg/L enzyme concentration was not significant, so it is economically advantageous to ultrafilter depectinized juice, treated with an enzyme concentration of 20mg/L.

Fiber-reinforced composite fixed dental prostheses: Studies of the materials used as pontics

Fiber-reinforced composite fixed dental prostheses – Studies of the materials used as pontics University of Turku, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, Department of Biomaterials Science, Finnish Doctoral Program in Oral Sciences – FINDOS, Annales Universitatis Turkuensis, Turku, Finland 2015 Fiber-reinforced composites (FRC), a non-metallic biomaterial, represent a suitable alternative in prosthetic dentistry when used as a component of fixed dental prostheses (FDPs). Some drawbacks have been identified in the clinical performance of FRC restorations, such as delamination of the veneering material and fracture of the pontic. Therefore, the current series of studies were performed to investigate the possibilities of enhancing the mechanical and physical properties of FRC FDPs by improving the materials used as pontics, to then heighten their longevity. Four experiments showed the importance of the pontic design and surface treatment in the performance of FRC FDPs. In the first, the load-bearing capacities of inlay-retained FRC FDPs with pontics of various materials and thicknesses were evaluated. Three different pontic materials were assessed with different FRC framework vertical positioning. Thicker pontics showed increased load-bearing capacities, especially ceramic pontics. A second study was completed investigating the influence of the chemical conditioning of the ridge-lap surface of acrylic resin denture teeth on their bonding to a composite resin. Increased shear bond strength demonstrated the positive influence of the pretreatment of the acrylic surfaces, indicating dissolution of the denture surfaces, and suggesting potential penetration of the monomer systems into the surface of denture teeth. A third study analyzed the penetration depth of different monomer systems on the acrylic resin denture teeth surfaces. The possibility of establishing a durable bond between acrylic pontics and FRC frameworks was demonstrated by the ability of monomers to penetrate the surface of acrylic resin denture teeth, measured by a confocal scanning type microscope. A fourth study was designed to evaluate the load-bearing capacities of FRC FDPs using the findings of the previous three studies. In this case, the performance of pre-shaped acrylic resin denture teeth used as pontics with different composite resins as filling materials was evaluated. The filling material influenced the load-bearing capacities, providing more durable FRC FDPs. It can be concluded that the mechanical and physical properties of FRC FDPs can be improved as has been shown in the development of this thesis. The improvements reported then might provide long lasting prosthetic solutions of this kind, positioning them as potentially permanent rehabilitation treatments. Key words: fiber-reinforced composite, fixed dental prostheses, inlay-retained bridges, adhesion, acrylic resin denture teeth, dental material.

Viscosity of egg white from hens of different strains fed with commercial and natural additives

Yolk color and egg white (albumen) cleanliness and viscosity are important parameters by which consumers judge the quality of eggs. This study aimed to investigate changes in albumen viscosity during storage of eggs for up to 36 days from two different commercial laying hen strains (Carijo Barbada and Isa Brown) fed a diet containing annatto (1.5 and 2.0%) or a synthetic additive without synthetic colorants (control). Analyses of humidity, albumen height, pH, viscosity, foam formation, and stability were carried out on eggs. Carijo Barbada strain had smaller albumen, lower humidity and higher egg white viscosity than Isa Brown strain; however, with storage, viscosity lowered significantly on both strains. Initially, the addition of 2.0% of annatto or a synthetic additive increased viscosity in both strains, but with storage only the control maintained longer viscosity. Lower viscosity did not change foam density and stability.

Deep-fat frying of meat products in palm olein

This study investigated the discontinuous frying of breaded meat products in palm olein in a 28 L-electric fryer maintained at 182 ºC for 8 hours a day. Three 400-500 g batches of meat products were fried for 4.5 minutes daily. For comparison purpose, thermoxidation tests were performed using inert material with added moisture and without the addition of f ood (heating only). The total polar compound content did not reach the 25% limit, and nor did the formation of polymerized products exceed 5%, which indicates the good frying performance of palm olein for frying. Other analytical parameters and rapid tests were also evaluated. The sensory attributes, such as odor, colour, and foam formation determined when the frying oils should be discarded. The addition of water to the inert material contributed to the final value of 1.00 ± 0.01% (in palmitic acid), while the oil subjected only to heating reached respectively 0.26 ± 0.02%, and the oils used to fry breaded meat and breaded chicken reached 0.38 ± 0.00% and 2.35 ± 0.01%, respectively. This suggests a protective effect of the water during frying since the oil subjected only to heating was more prone to degradation.

Biochemical changes and color properties of fresh-cut green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv.gina) treated with calcium chloride during storage

Calcium chloride is widely used in industries as a firming agent, and also to extend shelf-life of vegetables. The aim of this study was to determine, the effect of different doses of calcium chloride on biochemical and color properties of fresh-cut green bean. Fresh-cut green beans were dipped for 90 seconds in 0.5%, 1%, 2% and 3% solution of calcium chloride at 25°C. The fresh-cut green bean samples were packaged in polystyrene foam dishes, wrapped with stretch film and stored in a cold room at 5±1°C temperature and 85-90% RH. Calcium chloride treatments did not retain the green color of samples. Whiteness index, browning index and total color difference (ΔE) values of CaCl2 treated samples were high. Saturation index and hue angle were low compared to the control, especially at higher doses of CaCl2. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzyme activity in samples treated with CaCl2 at 3% doses, was low at the 7th days of storage than with other treatments. Fructose and sucrose content of samples increased in all treatment groups whereas glucose level decreased during the first 4th days of storage.

The Role of Structural Imperfections in Sr2FeMoO6 Thin Films

In this work, Sr2FeMoO6 (SFMO) thin films were studied with the main focus on their magnetic and magneto-transport properties. The fabrication process of pulsed laser deposited SFMO films was first optimized. Then the effects of strain, film thickness and substrate were thoroughly investigated. In addition to these external factors, the effect of intrinsic defects on the magnetic properties of SFMO were also clarified. Secondly, the magnetoresistivity mechanims of SFMO films were studied and a semiempirical model of the temperature dependence of resistivity was introduced. The films were grown on single crystal substrates using a ceramic target made with sol-gel method. The structural characterization of the films were carried out with X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and high kinetic energy photoelectron spectroscopy. The magnetic properties were measured with SQUID magnetometer and the magneto-transport properties by magnetometer with a resistivity option. SFMO films with the best combination of structural and magnetic properties were grown in Ar atmosphere at 1050 °C . Their magnetic properties could not be improved by the ex situ post-annealing treatments aside from the treatments in ultra-high vacuum conditions. The optimal film thickness was found to be around 150 nm and only small improvement in the magnetic properties with decreasing strain was observed. Instead, the magnetic properties were observed to be highly dependent on the choice of the substrate due to the lattice mismatch induced defects, which are best avoided by using the SrTiO3 substrate. The large difference in the Curie temperature and the saturation magnetization between the SFMO thin film and polycrystalline bulk samples was connected to the antisite disorder and oxygen vacancies. Thus, the Curie temperature of SFMO thin films could be improved by increasing the amount of oxygen vacancies for example with ultra-high vacuum treatments or improving the B-site ordering by further optimization of the deposition parameters. The magneto-transport properties of SFMO thin films do not follow any conventional models, but the temperature dependence of resistivity was succesfully described with a model of two spin channel system. Also, evidences that the resistivity-temperature behaviour of SFMO thin films is dominated by the structural defects, which reduce the band gap in the majority spin band were found. Moreover, the magnetic field response of the resistivity in SFMO thin films were found to be superposition of different mechanisms that seems to be related to the structural changes in the film.

Metalli-ionin ja hapon erotus toisistaan kalvosuodatuksella

Työn tarkoituksena oli kuparin ja hapon erottaminen toisistaan malliaineliuoksesta membraanitekniikalla. Kaivannaisteollisuudessa happoja käytetään metalleiden liuottamiseen. Lisäksi happamia jätevesiä syntyy sulfidikaivoksissa, sadeveden liuottaessa metalleja. Raskasmetallit ovat erittäin myrkyllistä vesieliöille. Työn tavoitteena oli saada happo ja metalli hyödynnettävään muotoon. Työn kokeellisessa osassa vertailtiin kahta polymeeristä ja keraamista membraania hapon ja metallin erotuksessa. Mittauksissa käytetyt membraanit olivat: AMS Technologies A-3012 ja A-3014 sekä Inopor ® Type SKR. Syöttöliuos sisälsi kuparisulfaattia ja rikkihappoa. Suodatukset tehtiin 30 ºC lämpötilassa useissa paineissa ja pH-arvoissa. Polymeeristen membraanien suodatusnäytteistä saadut retentiot kuparille olivat vastaavia aikaisempien tutkimusten tuloksien kanssa. A-3012 kalvon kuparin retentio oli 95 % ja A-3014 kalvolle kuparin retentio oli 90 %. Lisäksi mittausten korkeimmissa pH-arvoissa (2,9-2,3) happo konsentroitui permeaattiin. Polymeerisillä membraaneilla ei ollut merkkejä kalvon likaantumisesta tai hajoamisesta. Keraamisella membraanilla mitatut tulokset eivät olleet vastaavia aikaisempien tutkimusten tuloksien kanssa. Kuparin retentio olivat 2 ja 20 prosentin välillä, eikä liuoksen pH eronnut syötön ja permeaatin välillä. Tulosten perusteella molemmat tutkitut polymeeriset membraanit soveltuvat kuparin erottamiseen happamasta liuoksesta. Mittauksissa käytetty keraaminen membraani ei sovellu tähän tehtävään.

Electronic, magnetic and thermal properties of Pb₂₋x AxCrO₅ (A = K or La)

Lead chromium oxide is a photoconductive dielectric material tha t has great potential of being used as a room temperature photodetector. In this research, we made ceramic pellets of this compound as well as potassium doped compound Pb2-xKxCr05, where x=O, 0.05, 0.125. We also investigate the properties of the lanthanum doped sample whose chemical formula is Pb1.85Lao.15Cr05' The electronic, magnetic and thermal properties of these materials have been studied. Magnetization measurements of the Pb2Cr05 sample indicate a transition at about 310 K, while for the lanthanum doped sample the transition temperature is at about 295 K indicating a paramagnetic behavior. However, the potassium doped samples are showing the transition from paramagnetic state to diamagnetic state at different temperatures for different amounts of potassium atoms present in the sample. We have studied resistivity as a function of temperature in different gas environments from 300 K to 900 K. The resistivity measurement of the parent sample indicates a conducting to insulating transition at about 300 K and upon increasing the temperature further, above 450 K the sample becomes an ionic conductor. As temperature increases a decrease in resistance is observed in the lanthanum/potassium doped samples. Using Differential Scanning Calorimetry experiment an endothermic peak is observed for the Pb2Cr05 and lanthanum/potassium doped samples at about 285 K.

The Rapids, Niagara

The description of the image reads "No. 115 - The Rapids, Niagara - From the Terrapin Tower". On the reverse it reads "The Rapids, Niagara, From the Terrapin Tower (taken instantaneously). From this commanding point of view the rapids are seen to great perfection - the Tower standing just on the edge of the Horse-shoe Fall. Some idea of the rapidity with which these waters hurry onward to the mighty abyss may be formed from the fact that the river descends nearly fifty-one feet in a distance of three-quarters of a mile. Gathering force as they approach nearer the edge of the Falls, they dash and foam amid the rocks which speck their surface, and with torturous writhes dash onward with a fury grand and beautiful in the extreme. Whole flocks of water-fowl have often been seen going to destruction among these rapids. Pleased with being carried by the stream, they have indulged in the pleasure till the rapidity of the current has rendered it impossible for them to rise and thus have they been carried down and washed over the Fall. At one time during the months of September and October, sufficient quantities of dead water-fowl have been found every morning below the Fall to afford ample subsistence for the garrison at the fort. The bodies of bears, deer, and other animals have also been found."