Determinação de ácido acéttico em amostra de vinagre adulterada com ácido clorídrico - um experimento integrado de titulação potenciométrica e condutométrica

The determination of acetic acid in vinegar adulterated sample using simultaneous potentiometric and condutometric titrations was used as an example of integrated experiment in instrumental analysis. An Excel® spreadsheet, which allows the entry of simultaneous data and the construction of the superimposed experimental curves (condutometric, potentiometric, first and second derivative potentiometric curve and, distribution diagrama of the acetic species as function of pH), was used as powerful tool to discuss the fundamental concepts involved in each technique and choose the best of them to quantify, without mutual interference, H3CCOOH and HCl in vinegar adulterated sample.

Identificação de microcistina LR ao nível molecular empregando microscopia de força atômica

Microcystins are non-ribosomal peptides that must be detected for its health concern. Here, microcystin LR and its specific antibody were respectively tethered to the substrate and to the tip of an atomic force microscope, after surface functionalization using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and glutaraldehyde. Functionalization was confirmed comparing topographic images taken on bare and modified tips. Force versus distance curves were successfully used to measure the specific antibody-antigen interactions comparing with a control in which microcystin was initially blocked by incubation with free antibodies. The results showed unequivocally the specific recognition of MLR, suggesting that this method could be useful for biosensor development.

Constantes de acidez de ácidos dipróticos a partir de titulações potenciométricas: ilustração dos princípios do cálculo através da construção de um algoritmo muito simples

This work describes the creation of an very simple calculation algorithm, based in basic chemical and mathematic principles, for the calculation of weak diprotic acid dissociation constants as, for example, amino acids, from potentiometric titrations. For an easier understanding of the algorithm the logical reasoning of this calculus is schematized in a diagram of blocks. In the second part of the work the algorithm is applied to an Excel calculation sheet to determine the dissociation constants of Nicotinic Acid and Glycine, from the respective potentiometric titration curves. The values obtained using this algorithm are compared with those estimated by Hyperquad2008 (program generally used for this type of calculus) and also with the values of a stability constants database.

Desmistificando a proteção por patentes nas universidades

Brazilian universities and research institutions still fail to protect the knowledge and technology produced by their community of students, staff and professors while Intellectual Property (IP) issues along with the role of patents and their strategic management in educational and research institutions remain taboo or misunderstood. The focus of this work was to demystify these subjects, including IP, patents and their requirements, the decision to patent as well as tips for successful patenting. Any student, professor or researcher of an educational or research institution can invent and protect their technology. This paper shows how to make such a patent application.

AVALIAÇÃO DO USO DE PLANILHAS COMPUTACIONAIS COMO UMA FERRAMENTA DIDÁTICA EM QUÍMICA ANALÍTICA QUALITATIVA

The use of spreadsheet softwares is not widespread in Chemical Education in Brazil as a computational education tool. By its turn the Qualitative Analytical Chemistry is considered a discipline with classical and non-flexible content. Thus in this work the spreadsheet software Excel® was evaluated as a teaching tool in a Qualitative Analytical Chemistry course for calculations of concentrations of the species in equilibrium in solutions of acids. After presenting the theory involved in such calculations the students were invited to elaborate the representation of the distribution of these species in a graphical form, using the spreadsheet software. Then the teaching team evaluated the resulting graphics regarding form and contents. The graphics with conceptual and/or formal errors were returned for correction, revealing significant improvement in the second presentation in all cases. The software showed to be motivating for the content of the discipline, improving the learning interest, while it was possible to prove that even in classical disciplines it is possible to introduce new technologies to help the teaching process.

The Regulation of Skeletal and Cardiac Muscle Blood Flow in Humans. Studies by positron emission tomography with special reference to exercise, adenosine and nitric oxide

Virtually every cell and organ in the human body is dependent on a proper oxygen supply. This is taken care of by the cardiovascular system that supplies tissues with oxygen precisely according to their metabolic needs. Physical exercise is one of the most demanding challenges the human circulatory system can face. During exercise skeletal muscle blood flow can easily increase some 20-fold and its proper distribution to and within muscles is of importance for optimal oxygen delivery. The local regulation of skeletal muscle blood flow during exercise remains little understood, but adenosine and nitric oxide may take part in this process. In addition to acute exercise, long-term vigorous physical conditioning also induces changes in the cardiovasculature, which leads to improved maximal physical performance. The changes are largely central, such as structural and functional changes in the heart. The function and reserve of the heart’s own vasculature can be studied by adenosine infusion, which according to animal studies evokes vasodilation via it’s a_2A receptors. This has, however, never been addressed in humans in vivo and also studies in endurance athletes have shown inconsistent results regarding the effects of sport training on myocardial blood flow. This study was performed on healthy young adults and endurance athletes and local skeletal and cardiac muscle blod flow was measured by positron emission tomography. In the heart, myocardial blood flow reserve and adenosine A_2A receptor density, and in skeletal muscle, oxygen extraction and consumption was also measured. The role of adenosine in the control of skeletal muscle blood flow during exercise, and its vasodilator effects, were addressed by infusing competitive inhibitors and adenosine into the femoral artery. The formation of skeletal muscle nitric oxide was also inhibited by a drug, with and without prostanoid blockade. As a result and conclusion, it can be said that skeletal muscle blood flow heterogeneity decreases with increasing exercise intensity most likely due to increased vascular unit recruitment, but exercise hyperemia is a very complex phenomenon that cannot be mimicked by pharmacological infusions, and no single regulator factor (e.g. adenosine or nitric oxide) accounts for a significant part of exercise-induced muscle hyperemia. However, in the present study it was observed for the first time in humans that nitric oxide is not only important regulator of the basal level of muscle blood flow, but also oxygen consumption, and together with prostanoids affects muscle blood flow and oxygen consumption during exercise. Finally, even vigorous endurance training does not seem to lead to supranormal myocardial blood flow reserve, and also other receptors than A_2A mediate the vasodilator effects of adenosine. In respect to cardiac work, atheletes heart seems to be luxuriously perfused at rest, which may result from reduced oxygen extraction or impaired efficiency due to pronouncedly enhanced myocardial mass developed to excel in strenuous exercise.

Warranttihaarojen tuotot ja markkinoiden tehokkuus Nokian osavuosikatsausten yhteydessä vuosina 2002-2009

Työssä pyrittiin löytämään indikaatioita markkinoiden epätehokkuudesta ja arbitraasimahdollisuuksia Suomen warranttimarkkinoilla muodostamalla osavuosikatsausten ympärille erilaisia aikaikkunoita at-the-money warranttihaaroilla. Kohde-etuutena käytettiin Nokian osaketta. Tilastollista merkitsevyyttä testattiin haarojen päivittäisistä logaritmisista tuotoista muodostetulla jakaumalla ja Excelin prosenttijärjestys() -funktiolla. Työn pohjana käytettiin McKentzien, Thomsenin ja Phelanin (2007) työtä, jossa löydettiin teurassikafutuurimarkkinoilta tilastollisesti merkitseviä tuottoja straddle-haaroilla markkinakatsausten aikana. Työssä ei löydetty tilastollisesti merkitseviä tuottoja tai tappioita pääasialli-sella merkitsevyyden mittausmenetelmällä, mutta kahdensuuntaista t-jakauman jakaumaa käyttämällä kyllä.

Detection and transmission of Drechslera avenae from oat seed

Detection, symptoms and symptomless transmission of Drechslera avenae (teleomorph Pyrenophora avenae) from seed were investigated. The present study reported that the D. avenae is frequently found in oat (Avena sativa) seed in Argentina. The prevalence of the seed lot infected was 54%. The incidence of seeds infected by D. avenae in the various seed lots from different regions ranged from 0 to 52% (overall mean of 7%). Besides conidia on conidiophore and immature pseudothecia, D. avenae produced small, spherical to pear-shape picnidia containing tiny conidia, on the seed surface. The pathogen was efficiently transmitted at a rate of 55% from seed to coleoptile tips in symptomless seedlings and at 12.5% to plumules. The importance of the infected seed and its epidemiological role are discussed.

Asuntosijoittamisen kilpailukykyisyys eläkesäästämismuotona

Tutkielman tarkoituksena on selvittää asuntosijoittamisen kilpailukykyisyyttä eläkesäästämismuotona. Vertailu tehdään kvantitatiivisena ja vertailukohtana ovat ns. perinteiset eläkesäästämismuodot, kuten rahastosijoitus, osakesijoitus, eläkevakuutus ja pankkitilisijoitus. Vertailu on tehty neljällä eri sijoittajaprofiililla. Profiilit eroavat toisistaan säästöajan ja säästösumman suhteen. Kaikissa tapauksissa kokonaissäästösumma on 36 000 euroa. Asuntosijoituksen lähtökohtana on osakehuoneisto, joka vuokrataan eteenpäin asumiskäyttöön. Asunnon ostoon otetaan pankkilaina, jota maksetaan pois vuokratuloilla sekä omalla osuudella niin, että kuukausittainen omaosuus lainan lyhennyksestä olisi vastaavan suuruinen kuin vaihtoehtoissijoituksen ns. perinteiseen eläkesäästämistuotteeseen. Tutkielmassa esiintyvät laskelmat on tehty Excel-taulukkolaskentaohjelmalla. Analyysissä keskitytään ensisijaisesti analysoimaan verojen ja kaikkien kulujen jälkeistä sijoitusten loppuarvoa, todellista vuosittaista tuottoprosenttia sekä koko sijoitetun pääoman tuottoprosenttia koko sijoitusajalta.

Production planning development in global manufacturing company

Larox Corporation is a provider of full service filtration in solid and liquid separation. Larox develops, designs, manufactures and supplies industrial filters. By Larox’s continuous development principle, a project for more efficient production was started. At the same time production planning was taken under review. Aim for this Master’s thesis was to find software designed for production planning purposes replacement for old Microsoft Excel based method. In this Master’s thesis current way of production planning was thoroughly analyzed and improvement targets were specified and also requirements for new software were assigned. Primary requirements for new software were possibility to production scheduling, planning, follow-up and also for long-time capacity planning and tracking. Also one demand was that new software should have data link to Larox’s current ERP-system. Result of this Master’s thesis was to start using Larox’s ERP-system also for production planning purposes. New mode of operation fulfils all requirements which were placed to new system. By using new method of production planning, production planners can get more easier and reliable data than from current system.

Cost evaluation process for competitors' products

A company’s capability to map out its cost position compared to other market players is important for competitive decision making. One aspect of cost position is direct product cost that illustrates the cost efficiency of a company’s product designs. If a company can evaluate and compare its own and other market players’ direct product costs, it can implement better decisions in product development and management, manufacturing, sourcing, etc. The main objective of this thesis was to develop a cost evaluation process for competitors’ products. This objective includes a process description and an analysis tool for cost evaluations. Additionally, process implementation is discussed as well. The main result of this thesis was a process description consisting of a sixteen steps process and an Excel based analysis tool. Since literature was quite limited in this field, the solution proposal was combined from many different theoretical concepts. It includes influences from reverse engineering, product cost assessment, benchmarking and cost based decision making. This solution proposal will lead to more systematic and standardized cost position analyses and result in better cost transparency in decision making.

Suunnittelukapasiteettien seurantamallin kehittäminen

The first main objective of this study was to develop a planning capacity management model for a chocolate and confectionary company in Finland. The second objective was to analyze how capacity updates would affect cost accounting practices. In addition, a creation of an update and maintenance process of planning capacities was determined as a sub-objective of developing the capacity management model. The thesis was started with analyzing the needs, requirements and constraints of the capacity management model and model’s connection with cost accounting. This was done by interviewing key officials like production planners, managers and controllers. A thorough literature review was also done at an early phase. Furthermore, internal systems and software architecture got to be acquainted with. The model was constructed as an Excel-based platform which will get its input data from Enterprise Resource Planning system and Production Performance Measurement system. The main purpose of the planning capacity management model is to make sure that the production planners can utilize more precise parameters but it also offers tools for the production managers to assess production performance and effectiveness at the product level. In addition to production planning, planning capacities are also tightly involved with cost accounting as many direct and indirect costs are allocated to the products utilizing planning capacities. For this reason, the linkage between product costing and capacity is also diversely examined in the thesis. Development suggestions conclude the report by giving some guidelines for more precise and consistent production planning and cost accounting between the factories.

Laitekunnossapidon palvelutuotteiden nykytila ja kehitysalueet

Tämän kandidaatintyön aiheena on Abb Service Laitekunnossapidon palvelutuotteet, niiden käytön ja suunnittelun nykytila sekä kehityskohteet. Tarkoitus on selvittää, kuinka paljon palvelutuotteita käytetään määritellyllä aikavälillä ja kuinka paljon tuotteille suunnitellaan kustannuksia. Työssä käsitellään myös parannusehdotuksia ja selkeitä kehitysalueita, jotta palvelutuotteiden käytettävyyttä ja suunnittelun astetta olisi mahdollista nostaa. Tutkimusta tehtiin haastatteluin eri toimipisteissä sekä SAP-toiminnanohjausjärjestelmästä saaduilla historiatiedoilla. Tiedot ajettiin Excel-listoiksi, joista oli mahdollista tarkastella tietyllä aikavälillä käytettyjä palvelutuotteita sekä niille liitettyjä suunniteltuja ja toteutuneita kustannuksia. Haastattelujen tarkoitus oli selventää ja vahvistaa omia ennalta syntyneitä johtopäätöksiä sekä kerätä kehitystoimenpiteitä ja –ideoita käytettäväksi tulevaisuudessa. Palvelutuotteita käytetään eri yksiköissä vaihtelevasti, mutta kaikille yksiköille yhteinen asia on tuotteiden suunnittelun epätarkkuus. Yleisesti ottaen tuotteita suunnitellaan, mutta hyvin usein suunnitellut kustannukset jäävät kauas toteutuneista kustannuksista. Usein suurimmat suunnittelun puutteet löytyvät kokoluokaltaan keskikokoisista töistä. Suurimpiin projekteihin on panostettu ja niiden suunnitteluunkin on täten myös uhrattu enemmän aikaa. Rahalliselta arvoltaan pienimmät työt puolestaan jätetään lähes täysin suunnittelematta. Suurimmat ongelmat liittyvät asenteisiin uutta järjestelmää kohtaan, selkeän yhteisen toimintatavan puutteeseen ja olemassa olevan palvelutuoterakenteen käytettävyyteen. Kaikkia kiinteähintaisiakaan palvelutuotteita ei ole mahdollista suunnitella täysin. Tuotteet tulisi täten jaotella eri suunnittelun tasoille, joista jokaisella tasolla suunnitteluvaatimukset olisivat hieman erilaiset. Asiakkaalle on annettava parempi mahdollisuus vaikuttaa ostamansa tuotteen sisältöön.

The Role of Preannouncing In Innovation Launch Strategy

The objective of this master’s thesis was to examine the role of preannouncing in innovation launch strategy. Preannouncing was studied from three different angles that were preannouncement usage, preannouncement timing and preannouncement goals and from two different perspectives that were the firm’s internal strategy and the external circumstances. The firm’s internal strategy encompassed the product strategy the firm had chosen. The external circumstances consisted of the industry, the nature of competition and the nature of market. Additionally, the product’s performance in the short term was studied in order to be able to speak out whether it is advantageous to preannounce. The empirical study was conducted as a partial replication study. The data for the empirical part was collected with a wide mailing and Internet enquiry in October 2008 – June 2009. Sample (N = 713) consisted of Finnish firms representing different industries and innovation activities. The data collection produced 272 answers and thus, the final response rate of the study was 38.15 %. The data was analyzed by using Microsoft Excel and statistical analysis program SAS Enterprise Guide. As a conclusion, the major results indicate that even if the firms use preannouncing quite often (54.8 % of the respondents), preannouncing behavior cannot be explained by industry. However, out of other external circumstances, the customer related turbulence affects on preannouncing usage. It was also revealed that the product type has an effect on preannouncing behavior. Additionally, preannouncement timing was noticed to differ according to audiences (distributors and end users).

Suluntekolaitteen toteutusvaihtoehdot: Kannattavuustarkastelu ja valinta

Diplomityön toimeksiantajayritys on 20 henkilöä työllistävä konepaja, jonka yksi liiketoiminta-alueista on koneenrakennus. Työn tutkimusongelmana oli selvittää, mikä on kannattavin kolmesta tarkasteltavasta teknisestä vaihtoehdosta lujitemuoviputken suluntekolaitteen toteuttamiseksi. Kyseessä on tapaustutkimus, jossa on käytetty esimerkkiasiakkaan, muovituotteita teollisuudelle valmistavan yrityksen, lähtötietoja. Kannattavuustekijöiksi määriteltiin kannattavuus asiakkaan näkökulmasta, kannattavuus toimittajan näkökulmasta sekä vaihtoehtoihin liittyvä epävarmuus. Asiakkaan näkökulmasta kannattavuutta on arvioitu investoinnin edullisuutena, toimittajan näkökulmasta projektin kannattavuutena taloudellisesta näkökulmasta ja vaihtoehtoihin liittyvää epävarmuutta muun muassa herkkyysanalyyseillä. Kannattavuustarkastelu on toteutettu Excel -mallilla, joka sisältää pisteytysjärjestelmän kannattavimman vaihtoehdon valitsemiseksi. Osana tutkimusta laadittiin sulunteon laatuvirheitä koskeva laatukustannusselvitys ja hinnoiteltiin laitteet. Kannattavuustarkastelun tuloksena todettiin, että sulunteko kannattaa koneellistaa ja että kannattavin tarkasteltavista vaihtoehdoista on konstruktio, jossa kudokset kelataan muotille rinnakkain. Todettiin, että laatukustannukset ovat merkittävä kustannuserä. Laadittua Excel-mallia voidaan käyttää myös muiden tuotteistusprojektien kannattavuustarkasteluun. Toimeksiantajayritys voi käyttää työssä saavutettuja tuloksia myyntiargumenttina.