Social dynamics for sustainable food systems. Actors’ orientations towards sustainability in primary production and public consumption

Abstract The modern food system and sustainable development form a conceptual combination that suggests sustainability deficits in the ways we deal with food consumption and production - in terms of economic relations, environmental impacts and nutritional status of western population. This study explores actors’ orientations towards sustainability by taking into account actors’ embedded positions within structures of the food system, actors’ economic relations and views about sustainability as well as their possibilities for progressive activities. The study looks particularly at social dynamics for sustainability within primary production and public consumption. If actors within these two worlds were to express converging orientations for sustainability, the system dynamics of the market would enable more sustainable growth in terms of production dictated by consumption. The study is based on a constructivist research approach with qualitative text analyses. The data consisted of three text corpora, the ‘local food corpus’, the ‘catering corpus’ and the ‘mixed corpus’. The local food actors were interviewed about their economic exchange relations. The caterers’ interviews dealt with their professional identity for sustainability. Finally, the mixed corpus assembled a dialogue as a participatory research approach, which was applied in order to enable researcher and caterer learning about the use of organic milk in public catering. The data were analysed for theoretically conceptualised relations, expressing behavioural patterns in actors’ everyday work as interpreted by the researcher. The findings were corroborated by the internal and external communities of food system actors. The interpretations have some validity, although they only present abstractions of everyday life and its rich, even opaque, fabric of meanings and aims. The key findings included primary producers’ social skilfulness, which enabled networking with other actors in very different paths of life, learning in order to promote one’s trade, and trusting reflectively in partners in order to extend business. These activities expanded the supply chain in a spiral fashion by horizontal and vertical forward integration, until large retailers were met for negotiations on a more equal or ‘other regarding’ basis. This kind of chain level coordination, typically building around the core of social and partnership relations, was coined as a socially overlaid network. It supported market access of local farmers, rooted in their farms, who were able to draw on local capital and labour in promotion of competitive business; the growth was endogenous. These kinds of chains – one conventional and one organic – were different from the strategic chain, which was more profit based and while highly competitive, presented exogenous growth as it depended on imported capital and local employees. However, the strategic chain offered learning opportunities and support for the local economy. The caterers exhibited more or less committed professional identity for sustainability within their reach. The facilitating and balanced approaches for professional identities dealt successfully with local and organic food in addition to domestic food, and also imported food. The co-operation with supply chains created innovative solutions and savings for the business parties to be shared. The rule-abiding approach for sustainability only made choices among organic supply chains without extending into co-operation with actors. There were also more complicated and troubled identities as juggling, critical and delimited approaches for sustainability, with less productive efforts due to restrictions such as absence of organisational sustainability strategy, weak presence of local and organic suppliers, limited understanding about sustainability and no organisational resources to develop changes towards a sustainable food system. Learning in the workplace about food system reality in terms of supply chain co-operation may prove to be a change engine that leads to advanced network operations and a more sustainable food system. The convergence between primary producers and caterers existed to an extent allowing suggestion that increased clarity about sustainable consumption and production by actors could be approached using advanced tools. The study looks for introduction of more profound environmental and socio-economic knowledge through participatory research with supply chain actors in order to promote more sustainable food systems. Summary of original publications and the authors’ contribution I Mikkola, M. & Seppänen, L. 2006. Farmers’ new participation in food chains: making horizontal and vertical progress by networking. In: Langeveld, H. & Röling N. (Eds.). Changing European farming systems for a better future. New visions for rural areas. Wageningen, The Netherlands. Wageningen Academic Publishers: 267–271. II Mikkola, M. 2008. Coordinative structures and development of food supply chains. British Food Journal 110 (2): 189–205. III Mikkola, M. 2009. Shaping professional identity for sustainability. Evidence in Finnish public catering. Appetite 53 (1): 56–65. IV Mikkola, M. 2009. Catering for sustainability: building a dialogue on organic milk. Agronomy Research 7 (Special issue 2): 668–676. Minna Mikkola has been responsible for developing the generic research frame, particular research questions, the planning and collection of the data, their qualitative analysis and writing the articles I, II, III and IV. Dr Laura Seppänen has contributed to the development of the generic research frame and article I by introducing the author to the basic concepts of economic sociology and by supporting the writing of article II with her critical comments. Articles are printed with permission from the publishers.

Giant planar Hall effect in pulsed laser deposited permalloy films

Ni80Fe20 thin films with high orientation were grown on Si(1 0 0) using pulsed laser ablation. The anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) and the planar Hall measurements show a 2.5% resistance anisotropy and a 45% planar Hall voltage change for magnetic field sweep of 10 Oe. The planar Hall sensitivity dR/dH was found to be 900 Omega T-1 compared with a previously reported maximum of 340 Omega T-1 in the same system.Also these films are found to withstand repeated thermal cycling up to 110 degrees C and the Hall sensitivity remains constant within this temperature range. This combination of properties makes the system highly suitable for low magnetic field sensors, particularly in geomagnetic and biosensor applications. To elucidate this, we have demonstrated that these sensors are sensitive to Earth's magnetic field. These results are compared with the sputter deposited films which have a very low AMR and planar Hall voltage change as compared with the films grown by PLD. The possible reasons for these contrasting characteristics are also discussed.

Hormones andCuscuta development: In vitro induction of haustoria by cytokinin and its inhibition by other hormones

Cytokinins induced haustoria formation in excised 10-mm segments ofCuscuta vine, the subapical 25-to-50-mm region being most responsive, producing a mean of 4–6 haustoria per segment. The order of effectiveness of cytokinins continuously applied (72 h) was 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) ges isopentenyladenine (iP) Gt zeatin (Z). Ribosides of BA and Z were as effective as the bases, whereas riboside of iP ([9R]iP) was half as effective as iP. Haustoria induction was influenced by weather and seasonal conditions at the time of vine collection; materials obtained on warm, sunny days responded better than those obtained on rainy, cloudy, or cool days. Haustoria were induced equally well all around the segment, and no thigmostimulus was needed for induction. p ]A 10-min pulse of 100 mgrM BA induced half as many haustoria as a 60-min pulse or continuous application of BA. White light inhibited haustoria induction elicited by a short (30-min) pulse of BA, whereas a longer (120-min) BA application overcame this light inhibition. Auxins (IAA or NAA, 1–10 mgrM), gibberellin (GA3, 1–10 mgrM), ethylene (as ethrel, 10–100 mgrM), and abscisic acid (ABA, 100 mgrM) were individually inhibitory (60–80%) with respect to haustoria induction when given continuously with 50 mgrM BA. A 60-min pulse of auxins (10 mgrM), GA3 (100 mgrM), or ethrel (10 mgrM), given at various time intervals during or after a 60-min pulse of 100 mgrM BA, showed that inhibition was maximal (70–95%) between 4 and 16 h of BA application and negligible (GA3) or much reduced (auxin, ethrel) at 20 h, indicating a ldquocommitmentrdquo to haustoria formation by this time.

A homozygous mutation in LTBP2 causes isolated microspherophakia

Microspherophakia is an autosomal-recessive congenital disorder characterized by small spherical lens. It may be isolated or occur as part of a hereditary systemic disorder, such as Marfan syndrome, autosomal dominant and recessive forms of Weill-Marchesani syndrome, autosomal dominant glaucoma–lens ectopia–microspherophakia–stiVness– shortness syndrome, autosomal dominant microspherophakia with hernia, and microspherophakia-metaphyseal dysplasia. The purpose of this study was to map and identify the gene for isolated microspherophakia in two consanguineous Indian families. Using a whole-genome linkage scan in one family, we identiWed a likely locus for microspherophakia (MSP1) on chromosome 14q24.1–q32.12 between markers D14S588 and D14S1050 in a physical distance of 22.76 Mb. The maximum multi-point lod score was 2.91 between markers D14S1020 and D14S606. The MSP1 candidate region harbors 110 reference genes. DNA sequence analysis of one of the genes, LTBP2, detected a homozygous duplication (insertion) mutation, c.5446dupC, in the last exon (exon 36) in aVected family members. This homozygous mutation is predicted to elongate the LTBP2 protein by replacing the last 6 amino acids with 27 novel amino acids. Microspherophakia in the second family did not map to this locus, suggesting genetic heterogeneity. The present study suggests a role for LTBP2 in the structural stability of ciliary zonules, and growth and development of lens.

Kolmas tehtävä ja neljäs valtiomahti. Uusi yliopistolaki ja yliopiston rooli yhteiskunnassa julkisen keskustelun kohteena 2008-2009.

Tässä pro gradu -tutkielmassa tarkastellaan yliopiston yhteiskunnallista vuorovaikutusta koskevaa julkista keskustelua. Aineisto koostuu viiden levikiltään Suomen suurimpien joukkoon kuuluvan sanomalehden yliopiston yhteiskunnallista vuorovaikutusta käsittelevistä pääkirjoituksista ajalta 1.1.2008–31.12.2009. Pääkirjoituksia on aineistossa yhteensä 110. Tutkielman tarkoituksena on täydentää politiikan tutkimuksen alalla laiminlyötyä koulutuspolitiikan tutkimusta paneutuen yliopiston yhteiskunnallista roolia koskeviin merkityksiin, jotka nousivat aktiiviseen julkiseen keskusteluun yliopistolain uudistuksen myötä. Tutkimuskysymyksenä on, minkälaisia representaatioita yliopiston roolista yhteiskunnassa suomalaiset sanomalehdet välittivät pääkirjoituksissaan uuden yliopistolain säätämistä edeltäneessä uutisoinnissaan? Tutkielmassa eritellään pääkirjoituksista löytyviä yliopiston yhteiskunnallista roolia koskevia merkitysjärjestelmiä eli diskursseja käyttäen menetelmänä Teun van Dijkin diskurssianalyysia. Yliopiston roolia koskevia representaatioita tarkastellaan Jürgen Habermasin tiedon intressien teoriaan peilaten. Muita keskeisiä teoreetikkoja ovat Gerard Delanty, Henry Etzkowitz, Helga Nowotny, Jean-Francois Lyotard, Andy Green ja Marek Kwiek. Yliopiston kolmannen tehtävän korostumista pohjustetaan historiallisella kuvauksella modernin yliopiston synnystä ja yliopistoinstituution kehityksestä Euroopassa ja tarkemmin Suomessa. Työssä käydään myös läpi tutkimusta, joka pureutuu kansallisvaltion ja yliopistoinstituution historiallisen siteen purkautumiseen ja yliopiston toiminnan legitimiteetin uudelleenmäärittelyyn. Lisäksi nostetaan esiin näkemyksiä tiedon tuotannon monopolin irtautumisesta yliopistolta yhä suuremmalle joukolle toimijoita. Analyysia taustoitetaan myös uuden yliopistolain ja sen taustalla olleen ylikansallisen koulutuspolitiikan konsensuksen kautta. Pääkirjoituksissa esiintyneitä yliopiston yhteiskunnallisen roolin saamia merkityksiä tarkastellaan ensin lehtikohtaisesti, minkä jälkeen pääkirjoitusten sisältämistä representaatioista muodostetaan diskursseja. Aineistosta muodostui viisi diskurssia: globaalin selviämistaistelun diskurssi, lokaalin identiteetin diskurssi, maineenrakennuksen diskurssi, panos-tuotos-diskurssi ja myyttisen humboldtilaisuuden diskurssi. Yliopisto representoitiin alueellisen identiteetinrakennuksen ja integraation välineenä ja sellaiseksi alueen integraation välineeksi, jolle valtio on prosessin laidalla oleva tukiverkko. Alueen integraation välineeksi representoitu yliopisto esitettiin samalla globaalille huipulle tähtäämisen myötä legitimoituvaksi instituutioksi. Yliopisto representoitiin siis glokaalin huipulle nousun välineenä. Pääkirjoituksissa epäpolitisoitiin yliopiston ja alueen välinen yhteys sekä yliopiston ja elinkeinoelämän välinen yhteys. Globaalin selviämistaistelun ja myyttisen humboldtilaisuuden välinen merkityskamppailu kulki läpi aineiston. Yliopisto representoitiin teknisen tiedon intressin mukaisesti välineeksi globaalin kilpailukyvyn nostamiseksi. Toisaalta yliopisto esitettiin myös myyttisen humboldtilaiseksi puhdasta tutkimusta tekeväksi ympäröivästä yhteiskunnasta eristäytyneeksi instituutioksi. Aineistossa ei representoitu yliopistoa emansipatorista tiedon intressiä toteuttavana instituutiona vaihtoehtona teknisen tiedon intressin mukaisille representaatioille. Myöskään kommunikatiivisen tiedon intressin mukainen yliopisto ei tullut aineistossa esiin. Aineistossa annettiin vastoin tutkimuskirjallisuuden näkemyksiä yliopistolle legitiimin tiedon monopolin haltijan rooli. Pääkirjoituksissa representoitiin valtiovallan, yksityisen sektorin ja tiedeyhteisön yliopistoa koskevia intressejä. Kansalaisyhteiskunnan ja yliopiston välistä vuorovaikutusta aineisto ei nostanut esiin. Keskeisimmäksi jatkotutkimuksen aiheeksi identifioitiin tämän myötä yliopiston ja kansalaisyhteiskunnan toimijoiden välisen vuorovaikutuksen tarkastelu.

Enhanced reducibility of Ce1-xTixO2 compared to that of CeO2 and higher redox catalytic activity of Ce1-x-yTixPtyO2-delta compared to that of Ce1-xPtxO2-delta

Nanocrystalline Ce1-xTixO2 (0 <= x <= 0.4) and Ce1-xTixPtyO2-delta (x = 0.15, gamma = 0.01, 0.02) solid solutions crystallizing in fluorite structure have been prepared by a single step solution combustion method. Temperature programmed reduction and XPS study of Ce1-xTixO2 (x = 0.0-04) show complete reduction of Ti4+ to Ti3+ and reduction of similar to 20% Ce4+ to Ce3+ state compared to 8% Ce4+ to Ce3+ in the case of pure CeO2 below 675 degrees C. The substitution of Ti ions in CeO2 enhances the reducibility of CeO2. Ce0.84Ti0.15Pt0.01O2-delta crystallizes in fluorite structure and Pt is ionically substituted with 2+ and 4+ oxidation states. The H/Pt atomic ratio at 30 degrees C over Ce0.84Ti0.15Pt0.01O2-delta is 5 and that over Ce0.99Pt0.01O2-delta is 4 against just 0.078 for 8 nm Pt metal particles. Carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon oxidation activity are much higher over Ce1-x-yTixPtyO2 (x = 0.15, 0.01, 0.02) compared to Ce1-xPtxO2 (x = 0.01, 0.02). Synergistic involvement of Pt2+/Pt degrees and Ti4+/Ti3+ redox couples in addition to Ce4+/Ce3+ due to the overlap of Pt(5d), Ti(3d), and Ce(4f) bands near E-F is shown to be responsible for improved redox property and higher catalytic activity.

Structure of L-Arginyl-L-aspartie Acid Dihydrate

C~0H~gN5Os.2H20, Mr=325.32, monoclinic,P2~, a = 12.029 (2), b=4.904 (2), c=13.215 (2) A, fl= 107.68 (2) ° , F= 743 (1) A 3, Z= 2,D m = 1-45, D x = 1.45 Mg m -3, Cu Ka, 2 = 1.54184 A,fl= 1.01mm -1, F(000)=348, T=293K. The final R value for 1277 observed reflections 110 >_ 3tr(Io)l is 0.031. The dipeptide exists as a zwitterion. The arginyl side-chain conformation is similar to that found in arginyl-glutamic acid [Pandit, Seshadri & Viswamitra (1983). Acta Cryst. C39, 1669-16721. The guanidyl group forms a pair of hydrogen bonds with oxygen atoms of the backbone carboxyl group. The crystal structure is also stabilized by -bonding interactions involving both water molecules.

Coupling of surface acoustic waves propagating in two separated piezoelectric media

The coupling of surface acoustic waves propagating in two separated piezoelectric media is studied using the perturbation theory of Auld. The results of the analysis are applied to two configurations using Bi12GeO20 and CdS crystals. It is found that the loss due to coupling is about 7 dB at 50 MHz in the cases of (111)-cut, [110]-prop. Bi12GeO20 and Y-cut, 60°-X prop. CdS combination. On étudie le couplage des ondes acoustiques de surface se propageant sur deux milieux piezo-eléctriques par la théorie de perturbation de Auld. Les resultats d'analyse sont appliqué's aux deux configurations des cristanx Bi12GeO20 et CdS. On trouve que la perte par couplage est environ de 7 dB a 50 MHz dans le cas de combination de (111)-coupe, [110]-prop. Bi12GeO20 et Y-coupe, 60°-X prop. CdS.

Transfer of F- in the reaction of SF6- with SOF4: Implications for SOF4 production in corona discharges

The temperature (T) and electric field-to-gas pressure (E/P) dependences of the rate coefficientk for the reaction SF 6 � +SOF4rarrSOF 5 � +SF5 have been measured. ForT<270>k approaches a constant of 2.1×10�9 cm3/s, and for 433>T>270 K,k decreases withT according tok (cm3/s)=0.124 exp [�3.3 lnT(K)]. ForE/Pk has a constant value of about 2.5×10�10 cm3/s, and for 130 V/cm·torr>E/P>60 V/cm·torr, the rate is approximately given byk (cm3/s)sim7.0×10�10 exp (�0.022E/P). The measured rate coefficient is used to estimate the influence of this reaction on SOF4 production from negative, point-plane, glow-type corona discharges in gas mixtures containing SF6 and at least trace amounts of O2 and H2O. A chemical kinetics model of the ion-drift region in the discharge gap is used to fit experimental data on SOF4 yields assuming that the SF 6 � +SOF4 reaction is the predominant SOF4 loss mechanism. It is found that the contribution of this reaction to SOF4 destruction falls considerably below the estimated maximum effect assuming that SF 6 � is the predominant charge carrier which reacts only with SOF4. The results of this analysis suggest that SF 6 � is efficiently deactivated by other reactions, and the influence of SF 6 � +SOF4 on SOF4 production is not necessarily more significant than that of other slower secondary processes such as gas-phase hydrolysis

Total syntheses of the fungal metabolites (+/-)-acremines A, B and I

A concise and diversity-oriented approach, incorporating elements of regio- and stereocontrol, to the recently isolated bioactive polyoxygenated cyclohexanoid natural products acremines A. B and I. from commercially accessible building blocks, is outlined. (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Two-dimensional fuzzy fault tree analysis for chlorine release from a chlor-alkali industry using expert elicitation

The hazards associated with major accident hazard (MAN) industries are fire, explosion and toxic gas releases. Of these, toxic gas release is the worst as it has the potential to cause extensive fatalities. Qualitative and quantitative hazard analyses are essential for the identification and quantification of these hazards related to chemical industries. Fault tree analysis (FTA) is an established technique in hazard identification. This technique has the advantage of being both qualitative and quantitative, if the probabilities and frequencies of the basic events are known. This paper outlines the estimation of the probability of release of chlorine from storage and filling facility of chlor-alkali industry using FTA. An attempt has also been made to arrive at the probability of chlorine release using expert elicitation and proven fuzzy logic technique for Indian conditions. Sensitivity analysis has been done to evaluate the percentage contribution of each basic event that could lead to chlorine release. Two-dimensional fuzzy fault tree analysis (TDFFTA) has been proposed for balancing the hesitation factor involved in expert elicitation. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A homozygous mutation in LTBP2 causes isolated microspherophakia

Microspherophakia is an autosomal-recessive congenital disorder characterized by small spherical lens. It may be isolated or occur as part of a hereditary systemic disorder, such as Marfan syndrome, autosomal dominant and recessive forms of Weill-Marchesani syndrome, autosomal dominant glaucoma-lens ectopia-microspherophakia-stiffness-shortness syndrome, autosomal dominant microspherophakia with hernia, and microspherophakia-metaphyseal dysplasia. The purpose of this study was to map and identify the gene for isolated microspherophakia in two consanguineous Indian families. Using a whole-genome linkage scan in one family, we identified a likely locus for microspherophakia (MSP1) on chromosome 14q24.1-q32.12 between markers D14S588 and D14S1050 in a physical distance of 22.76 Mb. The maximum multi-point lod score was 2.91 between markers D14S1020 and D14S606. The MSP1 candidate region harbors 110 reference genes. DNA sequence analysis of one of the genes, LTBP2, detected a homozygous duplication (insertion) mutation, c.5446dupC, in the last exon (exon 36) in affected family members. This homozygous mutation is predicted to elongate the LTBP2 protein by replacing the last 6 amino acids with 27 novel amino acids. Microspherophakia in the second family did not map to this locus, suggesting genetic heterogeneity. The present study suggests a role for LTBP2 in the structural stability of ciliary zonules, and growth and development of lens.

Studies on the biosynthesis of cytochrome P-450 in rat liver—A probe with phenobarbital

Cytochrome P-450 has been purified from phenobarbital-treated rat livers to a specific content of 17 nmol/mg protein. The major species purified has a molecular weight of 48,000. Using the purified antibody for the cytochrome P-450 preparation it has been shown that the major product synthesized in vivo and in the homologous cell-free system in vitro is the 48,000 molecular weight species. Poly(A)-containing RNA isolated from phenobarbital-treated animals codes for the synthesis of the 48,000 molecular weight species in the wheat germ and reticulocyte lysate cell-free systems. It is concluded that cytochrome P-450 synthesis does not involve processing of a polyprotein precursor, although certain minor modifications including glycosylation of the primary translation product are not ruled out. Phenobarbital treatment of the animal results in a significant increase in the cytochrome P-450 messenger activity as measured in the wheat germ cell-free system.