Quality of peanut mechanical sowing in function of seeding density and size of the seeds

ABSTRACTPeanut crop (Arachis hypogaeaL.) mechanization has been improved over the years; however there are drawbacks that affect the quality of operations. Thus, this article’s objectives were to evaluate the operational performance of the mechanized sowing of peanut crop according to seeding densities (10, 14, and 18 seeds m-1) and seed sizes (21 and 23 mm). It was observed that the seeds of 23 mm had shorter average number of days to emergence and a higher percentage of emergences, occurring the opposite to the seeding density of 18 seeds m-1. The higher the seeding density, the largest was the plant stand, whereas the 23 mm seed obtained the best results and the same with the seeding density of 14 seeds m-1 that had a higher percentage of normal spacing. The densities of 14 and 18 seeds m-1 reflected in higher yields, being always superior to the 23 mm seeds.

Spraying systems and traveling speed in the deposit and spectrum of droplets in cotton plant

ABSTRACT Tractor traveling speed can influence the quality of spraying depending on the application technology used. This study aimed to evaluate the droplet spectrum, the deposition and uniformity of spray distribution with different spraying systems and traveling speeds of a self-propelled sprayer in two phenological stages of the cotton plant (B9 and F13). The experimental design was randomized blocks and treatments were three spraying techniques: common flat spray tips; tilted flat jet with air induction, at 120 L ha-1; and rotary atomizer disk, 20 L ha-1, combined with four traveling speeds: 12, 15, 18 and 25 km h-1, with four replications. Spraying deposition was evaluated for both leaf surfaces from the cotton plant apex and base (stage B9) and middle part of the plant (stage F13) with a cupric marker. A laser particle analyzer also assessed the droplet spectrum. The centrifugal power spray system produces more homogeneous droplet spectrum and increased penetration of droplets into the canopy in both phenological stages. Variation on the operating conditions necessary for increased traveling speed negatively influences the pattern of spraying deposits.

Optimization of hydrogen plant efficiency

The purpose of this master’s thesis was to study ways to increase the operating cost-efficiency of the hydrogen production process by optimizing the process parameters while, at the same time, maintaining plant reliability and safety. The literature part reviewed other hydrogen production and purification processes as well as raw material alternatives for hydrogen production. The experimental part of the master’s thesis was conducted at Solvay Chemicals Finland Oy’s hydrogen plant in spring 2012. It was performed by changing the process parameters, first, one by one, aiming for a more efficient process with clean product gas and lower natural gas consumption. The values of the process parameters were tested based on the information from the literature, process simulation and experiences of previous similar processes. The studied parameters were reformer outlet temperature, shift converter inlet temperature and steam/carbon ratio. The results show that the optimal process conditions are a lower steam/carbon ratio and reformer outlet temperature than the current values of 3.0 and 798 °C. An increase/decrease in the shift conversion inlet temperature does not affect natural gas consumption, but it has an effect on minimizing the process steam overload.

Streamlining Launch Support Operations in a Product Platform

The new product development process is a massive investment to a company that aims to reduce their products’ time-to-market. Capability to shorter time-to market allows longer life-cycle to products which are introduced to market earlier but also give advantage to start product launch later while simultaneously learning from customer behavior and competitors. The product launch support operations are the last ramp-up activities before the product launching. This study defines what these operations mean in a product platform and how they can be streamlined to be more efficient. The methodology includes interviews, innovative group brainstorming and regular working group meetings. The challenges concerning the current situation of product launch support operations are allocated into four categories: General, Process, Project Resources and Project Management including altogether ten sub challenges. The challenges include issues related to technology and marketing management, branding strategy, organizing the global platform structure, harmonizing processes and clarifying handovers between shareholders in the process. The study makes a suggestion of a new Product Launch Support organization and clarification of its roles, responsibilities and tasks. In addition a new project management tool and Lessons Learned are suggested to improve the project management. The study can be seen as a pre-study when having an aim at combining technological and marketing know-how in the product ramp-up process before actual production. The future proceedings are suggested to include more detailed specifications and implementation in order to reach the long range target, reduced the time-to-market.

Hazard Risk Management in Large Nordic Companies' Operations in Russia

The objective of this research was to describe how Nordic companies manage hazard risks in their operations in Russia and how the local business environment is considered to affect the hazard risks. Research methods used in this research were literature review and expert interviews. Twelve Nordic industrial companies operating in different fields of industry were interviewed. Large Nordic companies typically guide risk management centralized from the parent company on behalf of the whole company group and the risk management standards and policies are integrated in all subsidiaries. Parent companies typically control hazard risk management in Russia by regular risk management reporting, auditing the Russian sites and by training local managers and employees to risk management work. Many companies have experienced several losses in the first years of operating in Russia before the risk management policies have been implemented in Russian subsidiaries. The companies have learned to take local characteristics better into account by experience and most companies are quite satisfied with their current risk management standards in Russia. The interviews indicate that companies experience especially the poor quality of infrastructure, some features in Russian organizational culture and high level of criminality to increase hazard risks in Russia. However, understanding these features and risks in the business environment makes the management of these risks possible. Risks related to infrastructure can be managed in advance by decreasing dependencies of infrastructure and considering the infrastructure quality already when planning the business operations. Also good local network is often considered critical in order to overcome the complications related to infrastructure. Russian personnel has typically different attitude towards risk management than Nordic personnel and neglecting safety and maintenance and concealing losses is more typical in Russia. By training and guiding the local personnel risk management and safety work and desired ways of actions these risks can be decreased. Criminality risks are often managed to certain extent by investing in security, increasing supervising and paying attention to reliability of the employees and other interest groups of the company.

Improving strategic decision-making with simulation based decision support systems

Combating climate change is one of the key tasks of humanity in the 21st century. One of the leading causes is carbon dioxide emissions due to usage of fossil fuels. Renewable energy sources should be used instead of relying on oil, gas, and coal. In Finland a significant amount of energy is produced using wood. The usage of wood chips is expected to increase in the future significantly, over 60 %. The aim of this research is to improve understanding over the costs of wood chip supply chains. This is conducted by utilizing simulation as the main research method. The simulation model utilizes both agent-based modelling and discrete event simulation to imitate the wood chip supply chain. This thesis concentrates on the usage of simulation based decision support systems in strategic decision-making. The simulation model is part of a decision support system, which connects the simulation model to databases but also provides a graphical user interface for the decisionmaker. The main analysis conducted with the decision support system concentrates on comparing a traditional supply chain to a supply chain utilizing specialized containers. According to the analysis, the container supply chain is able to have smaller costs than the traditional supply chain. Also, a container supply chain can be more easily scaled up due to faster emptying operations. Initially the container operations would only supply part of the fuel needs of a power plant and it would complement the current supply chain. The model can be expanded to include intermodal supply chains as due to increased demand in the future there is not enough wood chips located close to current and future power plants.

Tuotanto- ja pakkausmateriaalien varastojen nykytila ja kehittäminen lääkeannostelijoita valmistavassa tehtaassa

Diplomityön tarkoituksena oli selvittää lääkeannostelijoita valmistavan tehtaan materiaalivarastojen nykytila. Varaston nykytila-analyysi jaettiin pääoma- ja operatiivisen tehokkuuden arviointiin. Työssä haluttiin kartoittaa toimenpide-ehdotuksia varastonohjauksen tehostamiseksi. Diplomityön tarkoituksena oli myös lisätä avainhenkilöiden ymmärrystä koskien varastojen pidon vaikutuksia yrityksen liiketoimintaan. Varastojen nykytila voitiin kiteyttää suureen pääoman sitoutumiseen, hitaisiin kiertoaikoihin sekä tehokkaan työskentelyn kannalta liian pieniin ja ahtaisiin varastoihin. Kustannuksia ei ole otettu kokonaisuudessaan huomioon tilattaessa ja varastoitaessa materiaalia. Varaston hitaita kiertonopeuksia ei ole tunnistettu vaikuttajina yrityksen tulokseen ja kannattavuuteen. Jotta varastonohjaus- ja hankintaprosesseja voitaisiin tehostaa, pitäisi ostotoimintoihin tehdä muutoksia. Tilausrytmiä ja –määriä täytyisi harkita uudelleen, jotta voitaisiin vähentää varastoihin sitoutuvan pääoman määrää. Informaationvirtaa tehtaalla sekä organisaatiorajojen yli pitäisi parantaa, jotta voitaisiin vähentää kysynnän heilahteluja sekä siihen varautumista. Varmuusvarastojen pidosta saatavien korvausten olisi katettava koko materiaalin kiertoajan aikana syntyvät varastoinnin kustannukset.

Pipework data in design system integration

This thesis work describes the creation of a pipework data structure for design system integration. Work is completed in pulp and paper plant delivery company with global engineering network operations in mind. User case of process design to 3D pipework design is introduced with influence of subcontracting engineering offices. Company data element list is gathered by using key person interviews and results are processed into a pipework data element list. Inter-company co-operation is completed in standardization association and common standard for pipework data elements is found. As result inter-company created pipework data element list is introduced. Further list usage, development and relations to design software vendors are evaluated.

Oikosulkumoottoreiden yhteisvarastointipalvelun verkostohyödyt

Tutkimuksen tavoitteena on tutkia oikosulkumoottoreiden yhteisvarastoinnista saavutettavia verkostohyötyjä asiakas-toimittaja verkostossa. Yleisesti yhteisvarastointi mielletään järkeväksi, mutta siitä saatavat hyödyt ovat usein vaikeita arvioida. Oikosulkumoottorit ovat kalliita, usein kriittisiä yrityksen tuotannon hyödykkeitä, joiden käyttöikä on jopa 30 vuotta. Tämä asettaa erityisvaatimuksia myös moottoreiden varastoinnille. Pitkä käyttöikä alentaa varaston kysyntää, kun taas niiden kriittisyys tuotannolle edellyttää varastointia. Tuotannon menetykset mielletään usein kestämättömän kalliiksi ja tämän vuoksi ajan saatossa lähivarastoihin on kerätty huomattavia moottorivarastoja. Työssä luotiin kunnossapidon, varastoinnin ja talouden teorian pohjalta viitekehys johon tukeutuen rakennettiin yhteisvarastointiverkoston kustannusmalli. Tämän jälkeen laadittiin palvelun piiriin kuuluvilta asiakkailta saaduin varastotiedoin vertailukustannuslaskelma, josta johdettiin yhteisvarastointiverkoston hyödyt. Laskennan tuloksissa havaittiin varastoitavien oikosulkumoottoreiden määrän ja kustannusten väheneminen.

Local Embeddedness and Knowledge Acquisition and How They Affect Finnish Business Operations in Russia

This pilot project aims examine the factors of the Finnish subsidiaries local embeddedness, their knowledge creation capabilities and the transfer mechanisms of new practices in the context of the Russian market. The research is designed as a multiple case study conducted with a qualitative approach. The empirical data consists of the interviews of the four Finnish case companies operating in the Kaluga region and three local partner companies. The deductive and inductive approaches were employed to conduct the analysis of the data. The propositions for the future study were developed in the conclusive chapters of the research, where we propose that the factor of the economy growth and industrialization matters in terms of subsidiaries’ role dedication, their knowledge creation capabilities, and direction of the knowledge flow within the local environment.

The effects of location, feedstock availability, and supply-chain logistics on the greenhouse gas emissions of forest-biomass energy utilization in Finland

Forest biomass represents a geographically distributed feedstock, and geographical location affects the greenhouse gas (GHG) performance of a given forest-bioenergy system in several ways. For example, biomass availability, forest operations, transportation possibilities and the distances involved, biomass end-use possibilities, fossil reference systems, and forest carbon balances all depend to some extent on location. The overall objective of this thesis was to assess the GHG emissions derived from supply and energy-utilization chains of forest biomass in Finland, with a specific focus on the effect of location in relation to forest biomass’s availability and the transportation possibilities. Biomass availability and transportation-network assessments were conducted through utilization of geographical information system methods, and the GHG emissions were assessed by means of lifecycle assessment. The thesis is based on four papers in which forest biomass supply on industrial scale was assessed. The feedstocks assessed in this thesis include harvesting residues, smalldiameter energy wood and stumps. The principal implication of the findings in this thesis is that in Finland, the location and availability of biomass in the proximity of a given energyutilization or energy-conversion plant is not a decisive factor in supply-chain GHG emissions or the possible GHG savings to be achieved with forest-biomass energy use. Therefore, for the greatest GHG reductions with limited forest-biomass resources, energy utilization of forest biomass in Finland should be directed to the locations where most GHG savings are achieved through replacement of fossil fuels. Furthermore, one should prioritize the types of forest biomass with the lowest direct supply-chain GHG emissions (e.g., from transport and comminution) and the lowest indirect ones (in particular, soil carbon-stock losses), regardless of location. In this respect, the best combination is to use harvesting residues in combined heat and power production, replacing peat or coal.

Regulation of photosynthetic electron transfer in plant chloroplasts

This thesis focuses on the molecular mechanisms regulating the photosynthetic electron transfer reactions upon changes in light intensity. To investigate these mechanisms, I used mutants of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana impaired in various aspects of regulation of the photosynthetic light reactions. These included mutants of photosystem II (PSII) and light harvesting complex II (LHCII) phosphorylation (stn7 and stn8), mutants of energy-dependent non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) (npq1 and npq4) and of regulation of photosynthetic electron transfer (pgr5). All of these processes have been extensively investigated during the past decades, mainly on plants growing under steady-state conditions, and therefore many aspects of acclimation processes may have been neglected. In this study, plants were grown under fluctuating light, i.e. the alternation of low and high intensities of light, in order to maximally challenge the photosynthetic regulatory mechanisms. In pgr5 and stn7 mutants, the growth in fluctuating light condition mainly damaged PSI while PSII was rather unaffected. It is shown that the PGR5 protein regulates the linear electron transfer: it is essential for the induction of transthylakoid ΔpH that, in turn, activates energy-dependent NPQ and downregulates the activity of cytochrome b6f. This regulation was shown to be essential for the photoprotection of PSI under fluctuations in light intensity. The stn7 mutants were able to acclimate under constant growth light conditions by modulating the PSII/PSI ratio, while under fluctuating growth light they failed in implementing this acclimation strategy. LHCII phosphorylation ensures the balance of the excitation energy distribution between PSII and PSI by increasing the probability for excitons to be trapped by PSI. LHCII can be phosphorylated over all of the thylakoid membrane (grana cores as well as stroma lamellae) and when phosphorylated it constitutes a common antenna for PSII and PSI. Moreover, LHCII was shown to work as a functional bridge that allows the energy transfer between PSII units in grana cores and between PSII and PSI centers in grana margins. Consequently, PSI can function as a quencher of excitation energy. Eventually, the LHCII phosphorylation, NPQ and the photosynthetic control of linear electron transfer via cytochrome b6f work in concert to maintain the redox poise of the electron transfer chain. This is a prerequisite for successful plant growth upon changing natural light conditions, both in short- and long-term.

Indoor air quality at a waste incineration plant in Finland

Waste has been incinerated for energy utilization for more than a hundred years, but the harmful emissions emitted from the incineration plants did not begin to cause concern until the 1980s. Many plants were shutdown and the waste incineration plant in Kyläsaari Helsinki was one of them. In later years, new landfill regulations have increased the interest in waste incineration. During the last year, four new plants were taken into operation in Finland, Westenergy in Vaasa among them. The presence of dust has been observed indoors at Westenergy waste incineration plant. Dust is defined as particles with a diameter above 10 μm, while fine particles have a diameter smaller than 2.5 μm, ultrafine under 0.1 μm and nanoparticles under 0.05 μm. In recent years, the focus of particle health research has been changed to investigate smaller particles. Ultrafine particles have been found to be more detrimental to health than larger particles. Limit values regulating the concentrations of ultrafine particles have not been determined yet. The objective of this thesis was to investigate dust and particles present inside the Westenergy waste incineration facility. The task was to investigate the potential pollutant sources and to give recommendations of how to minimize the presence of dust and particles in the power plant. The total particle number concentrations and size distributions where measured at 15 points inside the plant with an Engine Exhaust Particle Sizer (EEPS) Spectrometer. The measured particles were mainly in the ultrafine size range. Dust was only visually investigated, since the main purpose was to follow the dust accumulation. The measurement points inside the incineration plant were chosen according to investigate exposure to visitors and workers. At some points probable leakage of emissions were investigated. The measurements were carried out during approximately one month in March–April 2013. The results of the measurements showed that elevated levels of dust and particles are present in the indoor air at the waste incineration plant. The cleanest air was found in the control room, warehouse and office. The most polluted air was near the sources that were investigated due to possible leakage and in the bottom ash hall. However, the concentrations were near measured background concentrations in European cities and no leakage could be detected. The high concentrations were assumed to be a result of a lot of dust and particles present on surfaces that had not been cleaned in a while. The main source of the dust and particles present inside the waste incineration plant was thought to be particles and dust from the outside air. Other activities in the area around the waste incineration facility are ground work activities, stone crushing and traffic, which probably are sources of particle formation. Filtration of the outside air prior entering the facility would probably save personnel and visitors from nuisance and save in cleaning and maintenance costs.

Functional Genomic Approaches for Deciphering Plant-Virus Interactions

Plant-virus interactions are very complex in nature and lead to disease and symptom formation by causing various physiological, metabolic and developmental changes in the host plants. These interactions are mainly the outcomes of viral hijacking of host components to complete their infection cycles and of host defensive responses to restrict the viral infections. Viral genomes contain only a small number of genes often encoding for multifunctional proteins, and all are essential in establishing a viral infection. Thus, it is important to understand the specific roles of individual viral genes and their contribution to the viral life cycles. Among the most important viral proteins are the suppressors of RNA silencing (VSRs). These proteins function to suppress host defenses mediated by RNA silencing and can also serve in other functions, e.g. in viral movement, transactivation of host genes, virus replication and protein processing. Thus these proteins are likely to have a significant impact on host physiology and metabolism. In the present study, I have examined the plant-virus interactions and the effects of three different VSRs on host physiology and gene expression levels by microarray analysis of transgenic plants that express these VSR genes. I also studied the gene expression changes related to the expression of the whole genome of Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) in transgenic tobacco plants. Expression of the VSR genes in the transgenic tobacco plants causes significant changes in the gene expression profiles. HC-Pro gene derived from the Potyvirus Y (PVY) causes alteration of 748 and 332 transcripts, AC2 gene derived from the African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) causes alteration of 1118 and 251transcripts, and P25 gene derived from the Potyvirus X (PVX) causes alterations of 1355 and 64 transcripts in leaves and flowers, respectively. All three VSRs cause similar up-regulation in defense, hormonally regulated and different stress-related genes and down-regulation in the photosynthesis and starch metabolism related genes. They also induce alterations that are specific to each viral VSR. The phenotype and transcriptome alterations of the HC-Pro expressing transgenic plants are similar to those observed in some Potyvirus-infected plants. The plants show increased protein degradation, which may be due to the HC-Pro cysteine endopeptidase and thioredoxin activities. The AC2-expressing transgenic plants show a similar phenotype and gene expression pattern as HC-Pro-expressing plants, but also alter pathways related to jasmonic acid, ethylene and retrograde signaling. In the P25 expressing transgenic plants, high numbers of genes (total of 1355) were up-regulated in the leaves, compared to a very low number of down-regulated genes (total of 5). Despite of strong induction of the transcripts, only mild growth reduction and no other distinct phenotype was observed in these plants. As an example of whole virus interactions with its host, I also studied gene expression changes caused by Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) in tobacco host in three different conditions, i.e. in transgenic plants that are first resistant to the virus, and then become susceptible to it and in wild type plants naturally infected with this virus. The microarray analysis revealed up and down-regulation of 1362 and 1422 transcripts in the TMV resistant young transgenic plants, and up and down-regulation of a total of 1150 and 1200 transcripts, respectively, in the older plants, after the resistance break. Natural TMV infections in wild type plants caused up-regulation of 550 transcripts and down-regulation of 480 transcripts. 124 up-regulated and 29 down-regulated transcripts were commonly altered between young and old TMV transgenic plants, and only 6 up-regulated and none of the down-regulated transcripts were commonly altered in all three plants. During the resistant stage, the strong down-regulation in translation-related transcripts (total of 750 genes) was observed. Additionally, transcripts related to the hormones, protein degradation and defense pathways, cell division and stress were distinctly altered. All these alterations may contribute to the TMV resistance in the young transgenic plants, and the resistance may also be related to RNA silencing, despite of the low viral abundance and lack of viral siRNAs or TMV methylation activity in the plants.

Determination of collector chemicals from flotation process waters using capillary electrophoresis

Vaahdotusprosessia käytetään yleisesti erottamaan arvokkaita mineraaleja malmeista. Toimiakseen tehokkaasti prosessi tarvitsee kokoojakemikaaleja, joiden tehtävänä on sitoa halutut mineraalit ilmakupliin. Jotta näiden kemikaalien käyttäytymistä prosessissa voitaisiin ymmärtää paremmin ja prosessin ohjausta tehostaa, pitää kokoojia pystyä analysoimaan prosessivesistä. Työn kirjallisuusosassa on koottu ja vertailtu erilaisia kirjallisuudesta löytyneitä analyysimenetelmiä kokoojakemikaaleille. Kokeellisessaosassa on kehitetty kaksi kapillaarielektroforeesimenetelmää näiden kemikaalien tutkimiseen. Menetelmien toteamisrajat tutkituille kemikaaleille olivat seuraavanlaiset: natrium diiosobutylditiofosfaattille (DTP) 2,7 mg/L puhtaassa vedessä ja 6,7 mg/L prosessivedessä; natrium diisobutyldithiofosfinaatille (DTPI) vastaavasti 4,5 mg/L ja 6,7 mg/L; etyyli ksantaatille 0,025 mg/L ja 0,16 mg/L; ja isobutyyli ksantaatille 0,41 mg/L ja 0,62 mg/L. Näitä menetelmiä voidaan tulevaisuudessa kehittää kokoojien hajoamistuotteiden analysointia varten sekä prosessien on-line mittauksiin.